Del Rio Sector Border Patrol Agents Seize 1,000 Pounds of Marijuana

U.S. Border Patrol agents working the Del Rio sector seized more than 1,104 pounds of marijuana, valued over $883,520, in five different incidents, said a press release Wednesday.

According to the release, on Nov. 28, at approximately 2 p.m., agents from the Eagle Pass South Station conducted a linewatch operations in an area known for narcotic smuggling. The agents responded to a report from an Air and Marine Operations pilot of a possible sighting of large military type duffel bags. During an investigation, the agents discovered several bags containing 215 pounds of marijuana, worth an estimated $172,320. The narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

In the second incident, agents from the Eagle Pass Station, on Dec. 3, at approximately 3 p.m., conducted a linewatch operation near Highway 277. There they encountered a suspicious vehicle exiting private property. Agents activated their emergency equipment and attempted to conduct an immigration inspection on the occupants of the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle sped back into the private property and abandoned the vehicle. Agents observed several subjects with what appeared to be military-style duffel bags fleeing back into Mexico. Further inspection of the area revealed several abandoned duffel bags containing 86 pounds of marijuana, worth an estimated $69,040. The narcotics were turned over to the DEA.

On Dec. 12, at approximately 3 p.m., Comstock Station agents conducting linewatch operations responded to a report of possible narcotics hidden in the brush. Upon arrival to the reported location, agents discovered four deteriorated bundles containing 86 pounds of marijuana, worth an estimated at $68,880. The narcotics were turned over to the DEA

The next incident occurred on Dec. 14, at approximately 2 p.m. Agents from the Uvalde Station conducted linewatch operations near Highway 57. They responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle loading large bundles into the back of the small grey SUV. Agents responded to the location and observed the grey SUV traveling west on Highway 57. Agents attempted to conduct an immigration inspection on the occupant of the vehicle, but the driver began driving erratically and abandoned it inside a local ranch. Upon investigating the vehicle, agents located five large duffel bags containing 263 pounds of marijuana, worth an estimated $211,120. The marijuana was turned over to the DEA.

The final incident involved Comstock Border Patrol agents and occurred on Dec. 23 at approximately 1 p.m. While conducting linewatch operations in an area known for narcotics smuggling, agents encountered seven abandoned military-style duffel bags. Further inspection of the bags revealed a total of 452 pounds of marijuana, worth an estimated $362,160. The marijuana was turned over to the DEA.

For Fiscal Year 2016, which began on Oct. 1, 2015, the Del Rio Border Patrol Sector has seized $3.5 million worth of narcotics.

“Del Rio Sector is committed to the detection and apprehension of illegal narcotics in our community,” said Del Rio Sector Chief Rodolfo Karisch. “The collaborative efforts of concerned citizens aid in the successful completion of our mission.”