Border Patrol Agents Seize Nearly 17,000 Pounds of Marijuana

Edinburg, Texas – In multiple seizures over the past five days, U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Rio Grande Valley Sector seized an estimated $13.5 million worth of marijuana.

One of the largest seizures occurred Thursday near Hidalgo, Texas, when agents assigned to the Weslaco Station observed a suspicious vehicle leave a wildlife refuge. As agents attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver abruptly pulled to the side of the road, jumped out and fled into the thick brush. Inside the vehicle agents found nearly 1,800 pounds of marijuana.

Another significant seizure took place Wednesday near Rio Grande City, Texas. As agents were searching the brush, they encountered an upside-down boat that was emitting a strong odor of marijuana. The agents flipped the boat on its side and found more than 1,100 pounds of marijuana. 

Additional seizures throughout the area pushed the total amount of marijuana seized from Sunday through Thursday to nearly 17,000 pounds. The marijuana was turned over to the appropriate 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.