C.B.P. News Release

Agents Crush Smugglers' High Hopes

(Monday, May 18, 2009)

Edinburg, Texas - The U.S. Border Patrol’s Rio Grande Valley Sector has experienced a continued increase in narcotic seizures from May 11 through May 17. There were 60 narcotic seizures totaling more than 9 tons of marijuana seized within the past week compared to seizures of 3.8 tons for the same time period for the previous year.

Rio Grande Valley Sector overall has experienced a 71.4% increase in narcotic seizures in the reporting period over the same time period of the previous year.

In the largest seizure, agents from the Rio Grande City Border Patrol Station discovered 3,883 pounds of marijuana after agents encountered a suspicious truck traveling north from the river at a high rate of speed. The vehicle fled and was eventually deserted and the load of narcotics was found in the truck and scattered throughout a nearby dilapidated shed.

In two separate incidents, agents of the Kingsville Border Patrol Station seized a total of 4,782 pounds of marijuana after canine teams alerted to two different tractor trailers.

Rio Grande City agents seized 1,454 pounds of marijuana from two separate vehicles after each was seen departing the Rio Grande River area.

Border Patrol agents working near La Joya seized 781 pounds of marijuana after agents spotted a car driving away from the river area. The driver abandoned his vehicle and absconded.

Brownsville Border Patrol Station agents seized 692 pounds of marijuana when they observed several subjects carrying bundles away from the Rio Grande River area. As the agents approached, the subjects abandoned their cargo and fled into Mexico.

Finally, agents assigned to the Falfurrias Border Patrol Station seized 1,812 pounds of marijuana from a tractor trailer after a canine team alert.

In total, 18,159 pounds of marijuana with a street value of more than $14.5 million were seized and turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Collaborative efforts between RGV Sector and local, State and other Federal law enforcement agencies are attributed to the increase of narcotics seizures throughout the Rio Grande Valley.

To report suspicious activity, contact the Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol Sectors’ toll free telephone number at 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 Sector
CBP Public Affairs
Phone: (956) 289-4845

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/new ... 2009_2.xml