C.B.P. News Release

Agents Seize More than $5.2 Million Worth of Marijuana

(Monday, November 14, 2011)

Edinburg, Texas ─ More than $5.2 million worth of marijuana was seized over the past weekend by U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Rio Grande Valley Sector.

One of the largest seizures, which netted nearly $750,000 worth of marijuana, occurred Friday when agents saw several people loading bundles into a pickup truck near the Rio Grande south of Guadalupe Flores Road. Agents attempted to intercept the vehicle as it was traveling north from the river, but the driver pulled into the driveway of an abandoned house and fled. Inside the vehicle agents found more than 930 pounds of marijuana.
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RGV BORTAC agents seized more than 930 pounds of marijuana from this pickup truck near the Rio Grande.

A second large seizure was made Saturday near Escobares, Texas, when agents assigned to the Rio Grande City Station saw a group of people loading bundles into a Chevrolet Tahoe. When approached by agents, the smugglers fled into the thick brush and the driver of the Tahoe sped off to the north. With the assistance of a helicopter from the Office of Air and Marine, agents located the vehicle parked behind an abandoned house. Inside the Tahoe, agents found nearly 700 pounds of marijuana, with an estimated value of more than $540,000.

Several additional seizures from Friday through Sunday brought the total amount of marijuana seized to more than 6,600 pounds. The marijuana was turned over to the appropriate agencies for further investigation.

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 Valley Sector
CBP Public Affairs
Phone: (956) 289-4934 or
(956) 289-4845 or
(956) 289-4998 or
(956) 289-4848

CBP Headquarters
Office of Public Affairs
1300 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Room 3.4A
Washington, DC 20229 Phone: (202) 344-1780 or
(800) 826-1471
Fax: (202) 344-1393

Department of Homeland Security

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