C.B.P. News Release

Agents End the Month with 5 Tons Seized Over Weekend

(Monday, February 28, 2011)

Edinburg, Texas - This past weekend netted over 5 tons of narcotics for U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Rio Grande Valley sector.

One of the notable seizures occurred Saturday evening when agents assigned to the Rio Grande City station were patrolling the Rio Grande when they noticed several people load large bundles into a van near La Casita, Texas.

As agents approached, the van attempted to drive away. Agents set out a tire deflation device and were successfully able to disable the vehicle. Abandoned inside the van were close to 1,000 lbs of marijuana with a value of more than $790,000.

In another unrelated incident, agents also assigned to the Rio Grande City Station were patrolling in Rio Grande City when they spotted several people carrying large bundles on their backs walking away from the river. As agents identified themselves, the smugglers dropped what they were carrying and ran towards the river. Agents recovered close to 550 lbs of marijuana with a value of more than $425,000.

Overall the narcotics seized since Friday throughout the Rio Grande Valley sector were valued at over $8 million 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 1(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.

Contacts For This News Release
Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol
CBP Public Affairs
Phone: (956) 289-5976
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/new ... 2011_3.xml