Agents Continue to Crack Down on Drug Smuggling

Edinburg, Texas ─ More than $11.8 million worth of drugs have been confiscated by U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Rio Grande Valley sector in multiple seizures since last Friday.

One of the most notable seizures occurred near La Casita, Texas, when agents assigned to the Rio Grande City station saw several people on the Mexican side of the Rio Grande loading large bundles of marijuana into an aluminum boat. Moments later, the agents saw a white truck drive down to the river, where the boat was waiting.

As the agents approached the group, the driver and the smugglers abandoned their load and jumped into the river to escape. While the agents were securing the contraband, they saw a second vehicle approaching, which they believe was coming to pick up the same load. Upon seeing the agents, the driver abandoned the vehicle and jumped into the river.

A helicopter from the Texas Department of Public Safety assisted in the search for any remaining drug smugglers. More than 2,000 pounds of marijuana and two vehicles were seized.

In another unrelated event, agents assigned to the McAllen station were patrolling the river near Mission, Texas, when they spotted a suspicious minivan being driven toward the river. Moments later, the agents saw several people exit the brush and attempt to load the minivan with large bundles. As the agents closed in, the driver and the smugglers abandoned more than 1,000 pounds of marijuana and fled into the brush. The marijuana and the vehicle were seized.

More than 13,000 pounds of narcotics have been seized since Friday and were turned over to various agencies for further investigation.

To report suspicious activity, call the Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol Sector’s toll-free telephone number at 800-863-9382.

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.