Agents Seize More Than 7 Tons of Marijuana Over Weekend
C.B.P. News Release
Agents Seize More Than 7 Tons of Marijuana Over Weekend
(Friday, January 28, 2011)
Edinburg, Texas - U.S. Border Patrol agents in the Rio Valley Sector seized more than 14,000 pounds of marijuana in multiple, unrelated seizures this past weekend.
Rio Grande City agents on patrol seize more than 1,000 pounds of dope and arrest two subjects near Garciasville, Texas. A helicopter from the OAM assisted with the seizure and search.
The seizures occurred across the Rio Grande Valley from Brownsville to Rio Grande City and north to the Falfurrias and Sarita Border Patrol checkpoints. The Falfurrias Checkpoint seized the majority of the contraband with more than 6,900 pounds of marijuana.
In two other noteworthy events, agents assigned to the McAllen Border Patrol Station seized more than 1,100 pounds of marijuana, valued at close to $1 million on Saturday. The incident occurred when agents noticed a suspicious vehicle traveling near the Rio Grande. As agents approached, two men bailed out of the vehicle and attempted to get away. The agents called a helicopter from CBP Office of Air and Marine (OAM) and together were able to locate and arrest the two men.
In another unrelated seizure, agents from the Rio Grande City Station seized more than 1,000 pounds of marijuana Sunday near Garciasville, Texas. Agents patrolling on all-terrain vehicles noticed a suspicious Ford Expedition in the area. The agents called the roving patrol to stop the vehicle and later found it abandoned on a dirt road. A helicopter from OAM was called in and assisted agents in arresting two men near the area.
In both incidents the drugs were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
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 Sector
CBP Public Affairs
Phone: (956) 289-4934 or
(956) 289-4845 or
(956) 289-4998 or
(956) 289-4848
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/new ... 282011.xml
