Border Patrol intercepts 783 pound marijuana shipment near Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge
by CBS 4 Staff

Posted: 09.09.2015 at 2:55 PM


Agents arrested Yerica Rubi Ostos, 20, of Edinburg on Monday afternoon. / Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office

Border Patrol agents arrested a 20-year-old woman on Labor Day, when they stopped her near the Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge with nearly 783 pounds of marijuana, according to federal court records.
Agents arrested Yerica Rubi Ostos, 20, of Edinburg on Monday afternoon, according to the federal criminal complaint against her.
Ostos remains in federal custody and couldn’t be reached for comment.
At 5 p.m. Monday, agents conducting surveillance near the wildlife refuge watched several people carrying bundles near the Rio Grande.
“A few moments later, agents observed a vehicle departing the area at a high rate of speed,” according to the criminal complaint.
Border Patrol agents stopped the vehicle and seized six bundles of marijuana that weighed nearly 783 pounds. They also arrested Ostos, who was driving the vehicle.
“Ostos stated that she had met an individual she referred to as Smiley, who offered Ostos work picking up and transporting bundles of marijuana,” according to the criminal complaint.
Ostos said she agreed to transport the marijuana for $1,000, according to the criminal complaint.
Magistrate Judge Peter E. Ormsby charged Ostos with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.
Ormsby ordered her held without bond until a detention hearing on Thursday.
http://www.valleycentral.com/news/st...9#.VgF0BdIUVMw