Border Patrol Seizes nearly $1M worth of Marijuana in the Rio Grande Valley

EDINBURG, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents disrupted six separate narcotic smuggling attempts and seized over 1200 pounds of marijuana.

Monday, agents working at the Falfurrias checkpoint referred a commercial passenger bus to for secondary inspection. At secondary, a K-9 inspection revealed 33 pounds of marijuana in two unclaimed suitcases. The marijuana has an estimated value of $26K.

A few minutes later, agents from the Rio Grande City working near La Casita, Texas, observed a dark-colored Kia SUV traveling north from the Rio Grande at a high rate of speed. As agents responded, the driver of the vehicle bailed out of the vehicle and absconded. Agents discovered 40 bricks of marijuana weighing nearly 460 pounds worth an estimated $368K.

This morning, Rio Grande City Border Patrol Agents working near Garceno, Texas, observed several smugglers walking north of the Rio Grande. As agents attempted to arrest them, the smugglers abandoned the marijuana bundles and fled to Mexico. Agents searched the area and discovered four bundles weighing 280 pounds worth an estimated $224K.

In addition, agents stopped three more smuggling attempts resulting in the seizure of 460 pounds with an estimated value of $368K.

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