Agents Seize More than $22 Million Worth of Narcotics

Edinburg, TX ─ U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Rio Grande Valley Sector confiscated more than 21,800 pounds of marijuana and nearly 150 pounds of cocaine in multiple seizures over the past seven days.

The largest load of marijuana was seized Sunday at the Falfurrias Checkpoint after agents in the primary-inspection lane referred a tractor-trailer to the secondary-inspection area. After receiving consent from the driver to search the vehicle, agents found more than 3,700 pounds of marijuana hidden within a load of produce.

The driver and passenger were arrested and turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration, along with the marijuana and the vehicle.

The majority of the cocaine was seized Tuesday at the Falfurrias Checkpoint after a Border Patrol K-9 detected the odor of narcotics coming from a pickup truck during an immigration inspection. Upon further inspection, agents discovered the cocaine hidden within a homemade compartment.

The driver and cocaine were turned over to DEA for further investigation.

Another large load of marijuana was seized early this morning when agents assigned to the Rio Grande City Station saw several people load a van with marijuana on the banks of the Rio Grande near Garceno, Texas. As the vehicle traveled away from the river, agents disabled it with a tire-deflation device, at which time the driver jumped out and fled into the thick brush. Inside the van agents found more than 3,400 pounds of marijuana with an estimated value of more than $2.7 million.

Additional seizures from Friday through today brought the estimated value of narcotics seized to more than $22 million.

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.