Thread: ICE seizes 1,100 pounds of marijuana from bunker under home

I.C.E. News Release

June 3, 2011
Roma, TX

ICE seizes 1,100 pounds of marijuana from bunker under home garage

ROMA, Texas - More than 1,100 pounds of marijuana was discovered on Thursday in a secluded bunker under a house garage by agents with U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The marijuana has an estimated street value of $1 million.

ICE HSI special agents on June 2 executed a federal search warrant on a residence located at the end of Raucon Street in Roma, Texas. During the search they discovered a bunker beneath the garage. According to ICE HSI, the bunker was made through an old restroom that had the floor removed which ultimately opened into a10-foot-long corridor leading to the bunker. ICE HSI agents discovered 73 bundles of marijuana weighing 1,159 pounds inside the bunker. The bunker measures 30 feet long, 15 feet wide and 10 feet high.

"Taking more than 1,100 pounds of marijuana off our streets is a great success, but we're also denying the profits to the drug smuggling organization that formerly owned these narcotics," said Jerry Robinette, special agent in charge of ICE HSI in San Antonio. "The evidence we collected as part of this search warrant will also help us to continue this investigation to eventually dismantle the entire organization."

This marijuana seizure represents the very early stages of this investigation. No arrests have been made related to this drug seizure.

ICE was assisted by Roma Police Department, Rio Grande City Police Department and the Starr County Sheriff's Office.

This is an ongoing investigation.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security.

ICE is a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities. For more information, visit www.ICE.gov. To report suspicious activity, call 1-866-347-2423.

U.S. Dept of Homeland Security

http://www.ice.gov/news/releases/1106/110603roma.htm

Secret Underground Bunker With Drugs Found in Roma

Reported by: Bill Barajas
Email: bill@krgv.com
Last Update: 7:42 pm

ROMA - A secret underground bunker full of drugs was found hidden in a Roma neighborhood. Folks we spoke with say they're not surprised by the discovery.

Police found the bunker buried beneath the garage. Inside, they found more than 1,000 pounds of marijuana.

It can't see it with the naked eye, but under a quiet, suburban home was a hidden passage that was 30 feet long, 10 feet high and 15 feet wide. Federal agents found it stacked with drugs.

A neighbor, who asked for her identity to be concealed for safety reasons, says, she’s not surprised.

"Believe it or not, it's everywhere. It’s not just the neighbors; it's everywhere, everywhere you go, and I can say that because I was raised here," says “Sylvia.â€