Border Patrol agents seize 661 pounds of marijuana in Brownsville

Monday, February 27th 2017

Border Patrol agents seized about 661 pounds of marijuana last week in Brownsville.

While conducting surveillance on Wednesday, agents assigned to the Fort Brown Border Patrol Station watched several people swim across the Rio Grande near the intersection of Florida
Road and South Oklahoma Avenue, according to the criminal complaint. The people brought large bundles across the river.

A black Ford Expedition approached the area and left "at a high rate of speed," according to the criminal complaint. Border Patrol agents and state troopers stopped the Expedition near the intersection of Toronja Avenue and Medford Avenue.

Three people fled from the Expedition.

Agents arrested the driver, Rene Edwardo Torres, and seized 10 bundles of marijuana, according to the criminal complaint. The bundles weighed 299.9 kilograms — about 661 pounds.

Torres is charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Ignacio Torteya III scheduled a detention hearing for Feb. 28.

Attorney Rene E. De Coss, who represents Torres, couldn't be reached for comment Monday morning.

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