C.B.P. News Release

Smugglers Vehicle Ends Up Submerged in Rio Grande(Wednesday, December 23, 2009)

Weslaco, Texas — U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Weslaco station seized 962 pounds of marijuana Tuesday.

Agents on patrol south of Donna, Texas, observed a suspicious pick-up truck traveling north from the Rio Grande at a high rate of speed. When the driver spotted agents approaching he made a U-turn and headed back south towards Mexico.

In his attempt to escape, and salvage the narcotics load, the smuggler launched the vehicle off the river embankment plunging approximately 25 feet into the Rio Grande. The subject was last seen swimming to Mexico.

After the vehicle was extracted from the river, 19 bundles of marijuana with an estimated street value of $769,600 were found inside. The vehicle was seized and the Drug Enforcement Administration assumed custody of the narcotics.

To report suspicious activity, contact the Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol Sector’s toll-free telephone number at 1-800-863-9382.

Contacts For This News Release
Rio Grande Valley
CBP Public Affairs
Phone: (956) 289-4848

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