Over $1.2m worth of narcotics seized by border patrol

EDINBURG, Texas – Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Border Patrol agents interdicted six narcotic smuggling attempts resulting in the seizure of more than 1,200 pounds of marijuana, methamphetamines, and cocaine.

On Feb. 24, a Rio Grande City Border Patrol Station (RGC) agent observed a possible narcotic smuggling event near the Rio Grande south of Sullivan City, Texas. McAllen Border Patrol Station (MCS) agents spotted the Chevrolet Tahoe as it traveled north and attempted to conduct a vehicle stop.

The driver failed to yield and led agents on a vehicle pursuit before stopping at a residence in Sullivan City, where the driver and a passenger absconded.

Agents discovered and seized eight large bundles of marijuana from the Tahoe. The driver and passenger were not located. The marijuana weighed approximately 450 pounds and is valued at more than $360,000.

On Feb. 25, RGC agents were patrolling known migrant and narcotic smuggling trails near La Grulla, Texas, when they observed a subject running south toward the Rio Grande.

Agents searched the area and discovered five bundles of marijuana abandoned. The subject was not located and the marijuana was transported to the station. The marijuana weighed more than 60 pounds and is worth approximately $53,000.

Shortly after that event, RGV agents attempted to conduct a vehicle stop on a vehicle leaving Fronton, Texas. The driver led agents on a vehicle pursuit back to the Rio Grande near Fronton, where the driver fled the vehicle and absconded into Mexico.

Agents seized 16 bundles of marijuana from the abandoned GMC Sierra pickup truck. The marijuana weighed more than 180 pounds and is valued at more than $145,000.

On Feb. 26, RGV agents were responding to illicit activity in La Rosita, Texas, when they observed a Ford F150 driving south toward the Rio Grande. The driver stopped near the river’s edge and was observed going into Mexico with approximately ten other suspected drug smugglers.

Agents seized almost 190 pounds of marijuana from the pickup truck, and agents discovered the vehicle was reported stolen out of Harris County Sheriff’s Office and turned over to the Texas Department of Public Safety. The marijuana seized is valued at more than $150,000.

Also on Feb. 26, RGV agents seized more than 400 pounds of marijuana from a narcotic smuggling event near Sullivan City, and almost four pounds of methamphetamines and two pounds of cocaine at the Javier Vega Jr. Checkpoint.

Border Patrol is processing the subjects accordingly.