Border Patrol Seizes nearly $1.5M worth of Marijuana in the Rio Grande Valley

EDINBURG, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents in the Rio Grande Valley Sector disrupted five narcotic smuggling attempts in three days.

On Tuesday morning, agents working near Rio Grande City, Texas, observed multiple subjects carrying bundles of marijuana. As responding agents encountered the group, the smugglers abandoned the narcotics and attempted to return to Mexico. Agents arrested a Mexican national and seized four bundles of marijuana weighing over 230 pounds worth an estimated $184K. Border Patrol turned the subject and narcotics over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Later that day, Rio Grande City agents observed several subjects load bundles of marijuana into a Ford Explorer parked along the Rio Grande. As agents responded, the driver fled the area at a high rate of speed and lost control of the vehicle resulting in a roll over. Agents approached the vehicle and observed the driver stuck inside. Agents extracted the driver and requested Emergency Medical Services for evaluation and treatment. Inside the vehicle, agents discovered 26 bricks of marijuana weighing over 300 pounds worth an estimated $242K. Border Patrol contacted the Drug Enforcement Administration who took custody of the subject and narcotics.

That evening, agents working near Garceño, Texas, responded to a report of several subjects carrying bundles of narcotics along the U.S. riverbank. Agents, along with a Border Patrol K-9 unit, responded and observed the smugglers return to Mexico empty-handed. A search of the area led to the discovery of 10 bundles of marijuana weighing over 465 pounds, worth an estimated $375K.

The following morning, agents working near La Grulla, Texas, observed several narcotic smugglers carrying bundles of marijuana. As responding agents encountered the group, the smugglers abandoned the marijuana and returned to Mexico. A search of the immediate area resulted in the discovery of four bundles of marijuana weighing nearly 235 pounds, worth an estimated $188K.

Later that day, Fort Brown agents observed a Dodge Journey leave the Rio Grande at a high rate of speed. Mobile units responded and encountered the vehicle traveling on a nearby road. As the units approached the vehicle to investigate, the driver abruptly returned to the Rio Grande and abandoned the vehicle. Agents witnessed several additional subjects exit the vehicle and return to Mexico. A search resulted in the discovery of seven bundles of marijuana weighing over 540 pounds, worth an estimated $437K. 

The public is encouraged to take a stand against crime in their communities and report suspicious activity at 800-863-9382. 

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.