EDINBURG, Texas – Since Friday, Border Patrol agents foiled six drug smuggling attempts resulting in the seizure of more than 750 pounds of marijuana, nearly 100 pounds of methamphetamines, and over 15 pounds of cocaine.
Friday evening, agents assigned to the Weslaco station responded to suspected illegal activity near Mercedes, Texas. The agents observed multiple smugglers swimming across the Rio Grande, back to Mexico. A search of the area resulted in the seizure of several bundles of marijuana, weighing 238 pounds, worth more than $190K.
Early Sunday morning, Fort Brown agents working near Brownsville, Texas, responded to a report of two drug smugglers attempting to scale the border wall. Agents searched the area, arrested two Mexican nationals, and seized two bundles of marijuana. The drugs weighed more than 45 pounds, worth more than $36K.
A few hours later, Falfurrias agents working at the checkpoint referred a Volkswagen for secondary inspection following a K-9 alert. At secondary, an inspection of the trunk revealed 130 pounds of marijuana, worth $104K.
That same day, Rio Grande City agents working near Garceno, Texas, observed several drug smugglers walking north of the Rio Grande. When agents attempted to arrest them, the smugglers abandoned the bundles and swam back to Mexico. Agents seized more than 350 pounds of marijuana, worth more than $280K.
Additionally, during the busy weekend, Border Patrol agents working at the checkpoints seized nearly 100 pounds of methamphetamine and more than 15 pounds of cocaine in separate incidents. The narcotics are worth more than $3.5M.
The public is encouraged to take a stand against crime in their communities and report suspicious activity at 800-863-9382
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Even with the spread of the COVID-19 virus, human smugglers continue to try these brazen attempts with zero regard for the lives they endanger nor to the health of the citizens of our great nation. The U.S. Border Patrol agents of the Rio Grande Valley Sector will continue to safeguard the nation and community against these criminal elements.
Please visit www.cbp.gov to view additional news releases and other information pertaining to Customs and Border Protection. Follow us on Twitter @CBPRGV, @USBPChiefRGV and @USBPDepChiefRGV.