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Smuggler plunges vehicle with drugs into river in the Rio Grande Valley

Release Date: 
November 3, 2016

RIO GRANDE CITY, Texas – A reckless drug smuggler purposely drove his vehicle into the Rio Grande on Tuesday, leaving behind over Vehicle purposely ran into the Rio Grande to avoid capture$1 million dollars’ worth of marijuana.   

The incident occurred when Rio Grande City Station Agents working near the river received a tip about a vehicle loaded with narcotics in the area. Agents searched the area and observed the Jeep Grand Cherokee abruptly turn around, drive south at a high rate of speed and plunge the vehicle into the river. The driver and several subjects swam back to Mexico.

Marijuana seized after vehicle removed from Rio GrandeA unit from the Mission Fire Department responded and retrieved the vehicle from the Rio Grande. Once extracted, agents located numerous bundles of marijuana inside that weighed almost 1,300 pounds and have an estimated value of over $1 million dollars.   

The public is encouraged to take a stand against crime in their communities and to help save lives by reporting suspicious activity at 800-863-9382.

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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 the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Last modified: 
February 3, 2021
Tags: 
Smuggling
U.S. Border Patrol
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