C.B.P. News Release

Agents Net More than $6.6 Million Worth of Drugs over Weekend

(Monday, October 31, 2011)

Edinburg, Texas - U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Rio Grande Valley Sector netted more than 8,200 pounds of marijuana in multiple seizures over the weekend.

U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Rio Grande Valley Sector netted more than 8,200 pounds of marijuana in multiple seizures over the weekend.

The largest seizure occurred Saturday near Donna, Texas, when agents assigned to the Weslaco Station spotted a suspicious minivan traveling north from the Rio Grande. As agents approached the vehicle, the driver made a U-turn and headed back south. The driver and a passenger abandoned the vehicle near the river and fled to Mexico. Inside the van, agents found more than 1,500 pounds of marijuana.

Another large seizure took place Sunday near Fronton, Texas, when agents assigned to the Rio Grande City Station saw a marijuana-laden Ford F-150 driving away from the river. When the pickup’s driver noticed the approaching agents, he jumped out of the vehicle and ran into the nearby brush ─ leaving behind nearly 1,200 pounds of marijuana.

Additional seizures brought the estimated value of marijuana seized from Friday through Sunday to more than $6.6 million. It 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.

Contacts For This News Release
Rio Grande Valley Sector
CBP Public Affairs
Phone: (956) 289-5976

CBP Headquarters
Office of Public Affairs
1300 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Room 3.4A
Washington, DC 20229 Phone: (202) 344-1780 or
(800) 826-1471
Fax: (202) 344-1393

Department of Homeland Security

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