Del Rio, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents throughout Del Rio Sector seized more than 1,000 pounds of marijuana, with an estimated value of $831,480.
On July 13, agents from the Eagle Pass Station working in the Quemado area seized 443 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $354,720. The contraband was turned over to the FBI for processing.
Later that day, Eagle Pass agents conducting linewatch operations near the Rio Grande River, encountered four military style duffel bags concealed in the brush. The duffel bags contained 224 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $179,360.
Thursday July 18, in two separate incidents, Eagle Pass South agents seized a total of 371 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $297,400.
In the first incident, agents observed several subjects load what appeared to be illegal narcotics into a black Ford Focus. Agents attempted to conduct an immigration stop but the vehicle failed to yield. After a short pursuit, the vehicle stopped and agents arrested the driver. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed four large bundles in the back of the vehicle. The bundles contained 168 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $134,464. The driver, vehicle, and narcotics were turned over to the Department of Public Safety for processing.
In the second incident, agents observed four subjects cross the Rio Grande River with large military-style duffel bags on their backs. When agents approached, the subjects dropped the duffle bags and attempted to abscond. After a short foot chase one of the subjects was arrested and the rest absconded to Mexico. The duffel bags contained 203 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $162,936.
All cases were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration unless otherwise stated.
The Del Rio Border Patrol Sector is part of the South Texas Campaign, which leverages federal, state and local resources to combat transnational criminal organizations. For Fiscal Year 2013, the Del Rio Sector has seized over 29,600 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $23.6 million dollars.