“The agents of Del Rio Sector are working hard in the field,” said Del Rio Sector Acting Chief Patrol Agent Matthew Hudak. “These seizures and arrests represent the fruit of their labors and demonstrate their commitment to removing dangerous narcotics from our streets.”
On Nov. 18, at approximately 10 a.m., agents from the Eagle Pass South Border Patrol Station responded to a remote area were they encountered six military-style duffel bags containing marijuana weighing over 337 pounds worth an estimated $269,920. Five subjects were apprehended for their connection with the smuggling venture. One subject was turned over to the Drug Enforcement Agency for prosecution of Title 21 (controlled substance). Three subjects were charged with 8 USC § 1325 (illegal entry into the United States) and one juvenile subject was placed in the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program.
On Nov. 23, at approximately 10 p.m., agents from the Brackettville Border Patrol Station responded to an area near the Rio Grande River and disrupted an attempted smuggling venture by confiscating over 340 pounds of marijuana, worth an estimated $272,400. The subjects attempting to smuggle the narcotics absconded to Mexico.
On Nov. 24, at approximately 5 p.m., agents from the Eagle Pass South Border Patrol Station, conducting checkpoint operations, placed a vehicle in the secondary inspection lane after a canine alerted to the scent of narcotics. Agents discovered 69 bricks of marijuana weighing over 168 pounds worth an estimated $134,480. Agents also discovered one bundle of cocaine weighing over .6 ounces worth an estimated $1, 312.
On Dec. 1, at approximately 1 p.m., agents from the Eagle Pass Border Patrol Station, conducting linewatch operations, discovered an abandoned military-style duffel bag containing over 44 pounds of marijuana, worth an estimated $35,840.
On Dec.11, at approximately 8 a.m., agents from the Del Rio Border Patrol Station, conducting linewatch operations, encountered two abandoned sugar sacks containing five individually wrapped bricks of marijuana weighing over 83 pounds, worth an estimated $66,480.
On Dec. 22, at approximately 9 p.m., agents from the Eagle Pass South Border Patrol Station, conducting checkpoint operations, placed a vehicle in the secondary inspection lane after a canine alerted to the scent of narcotics. Agents discovered a bag of methamphetamine weighing over 299 grams worth an estimated $15,873. The subject and evidence was turned over to the Maverick County Sherriff’s Office for further investigation.
On Dec. 23, at approximately 11 p.m., agents from the Eagle Pass South Border Patrol Station, conducting checkpoint operations, placed a vehicle in the secondary inspection lane. Agents discovered nine vacuum sealed packages wrapped in electrical tape which were determined to be methamphetamine weighing over 3.1 kilograms worth an estimated $168,240. The subject and evidence was turned over to the DEA for possible prosecution.
On Dec. 28, at approximately 6 a.m., agents from the Brackettville Border Patrol Station, conducting roving patrol operations, made a vehicle stop resulting in the discovery of over 30 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $24,000. The subject and evidence was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations for further investigation.
Unless otherwise noted above, seized contraband was turned over to DEA.
For Fiscal Year 2017, which began on Oct. 1, 2016, the Del Rio Border Patrol Sector has seized more than $3.7 million worth of narcotics. The Del Rio Border Patrol Sector is part of the South Texas Corridor, which leverages federal, state and local resources to combat transnational criminal organizations. To report suspicious activity, call the sector’s toll free number at 1-866-511-8727.