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  4. Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol Checkpoints Stop Cocaine Smuggling Attempts

Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol Checkpoints Stop Cocaine Smuggling Attempts

Release Date
Wed, 02/20/2019

EDINBURG, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents seized nearly $3M worth of cocaine at the immigration checkpoints. 

On Saturday, Kingsville agents working at the Sarita Checkpoint arrested a United States citizen after locating 33 bundles of cocaine concealed inside of a tractor trailer. The cocaine weighed over 80 pounds is worth an estimated $2.7M.

Similarly on Monday, Falfurrias agents working at the checkpoint referred a vehicle to the secondary inspection area and located two bundles of cocaine concealed inside. The narcotics weighed over five pounds, worth an estimated $178K. Agents arrested the driver.

Border Patrol referred both cases for federal prosecution.

The Rio Grande Valley Sector currently has multiple campaigns focused on rescues and danger awareness, such as “Operation Big Rig” and “No Se Arriesgue” to combat smuggling and ultimately save lives. Call 911 to report suspicious activity; “They’re humans, not cargo!”   

Please visit www.cbp.gov to view additional news releases and other information pertaining to Customs and Border Protection. Follow us on Twitter at @CBPRGV.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with securing the borders of the United States while enforcing hundreds of laws and facilitating lawful trade and travel.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021