C.B.P. News Release

Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol Agents Seize More than Seven Tons of Marijuana

(Monday, October 25, 2010)

Edinburg, Texas ─ Over $11 million worth of marijuana was confiscated in multiple seizures by U.S. Border Patrol agents throughout the Rio Grande Valley Sector over the past weekend.

Agents from the McAllen Station remove bundles from a swampy area after they were abandoned by drug mules. CBP Office of Air and Marine provided air assistance and helped agents in recovering marijuana.

One of the largest seizures occurred near La Casita, Texas, when agents assigned to the Rio Grande City Station noticed two suspicious vehicles driving away from the river at a high rate of speed. Agents attempted to pull over one of the vehicles which resulted in the driver pulling into a driveway and fleeing into an unoccupied house. Agents pursued the driver into the house and discovered numerous packages of marijuana being stored in the house. Agents later found the other vehicle abandoned near the scene. Agents confiscated more than 1,800 pounds of marijuana and seized the two vehicles. The contraband and vehicles were turned over to the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Agency.

In a separate incident, agents assigned to the McAllen Station, in conjunction with air support from the Office of Air and Marine seized more than 500 pounds of marijuana after agents noticed a large of group of people fleeing south from a levee near Granjeno, Texas towards Mexico.

Rio Grande City Agents seize more than 1,800 pounds of marijuana near La Casita, Texas. A bailout followed by a foot pursuit into an unoccupied residence, led to the discovery of the narcotics.

Air and Marine assets saw approximately 11 people swimming back to Mexico and spotted what appeared to be several bundles left behind. Agents were able to retrieve several bundles in a swamp-like brushy area where the individuals were last seen. The marijuana was turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

To report suspicious activity, contact 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 ... 2010_5.xml