US Border Patrol in RGV Seize $625K Worth of Drugs

 Rio Grande Valley Sector (RGV) Border Patrol agents interdicted three drug smuggling attempts resulting in seizures totaling more than 760 pounds in one day.

Yesterday afternoon, a Hyundai Tucson sports utility vehicle approached the Falfurrias Border Patrol Checkpoint for an immigration inspection. During the inspection, a service canine alerted to the vehicle. At the secondary inspection area, agents discovered plastic bags containing freshly harvested marijuana plants and hallucinogenic mushrooms. The combined drugs had an estimated street value of over $16K. The case was turned over to Brooks County Sheriff’s Office.

Yesterday evening, Rio Grande City Border Patrol Station agents working in Escobares, Texas, observed eight subjects cross the Rio Grande from Mexico into the United States. The subjects continued north carrying six bundles. When agents approached the group, the subjects dropped the bundles and retreated back to Mexico. Agents seized six bundles of marijuana weighing over 367 pounds, having an estimated street value of over $293K.  The marijuana was turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Meanwhile in Bluetown, Texas, Harlingen Border Patrol Station agents responded to several subjects illegally entering the United States carrying bundles on their backs. With the assistance of a service K9, agents tracked down the drug smugglers. At the encounter, the smugglers abandoned the bundles and ran back to Mexico. The bundles of marijuana had an approximate weight of over 395 pounds with an estimated street value of over $316K. The marijuana was turned over to DEA.

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.