DE RIO, TEXAS – U.S. Border Patrol agents working in the Del Rio Sector seized 1,007.7 pounds of marijuana, valued over $806,248, as well as 54 pills of ecstasy, worth $908, in nine separate incidents. One United States citizen and one Mexican national were arrested in conjunction with these events.
“Criminal organizations continually go to new lengths in the attempt to smuggle dangerous and harmful drugs into the United States,” said Acting Chief Patrol Agent Matthew J. Hudak. “Del Rio Sector agents will always match the desperation of these traffickers with the type of hard work, vigilance, and competence immanent in these seizures.”
On March 3, agents from the Eagle Pass Border Patrol Station followed several sets of foot prints leading away from the Rio Grande River. These tracks led agents to the discovery of one Mexican national and three, camouflage duffel bags containing marijuana. The total amount of contraband seized was 117.1 pounds valued at $93,680. The subject and the seized narcotics were turned over to DEA. On March 30, an agent was patrolling an area commonly utilized for narcotics trafficking when he discovered a large feed sack left within the brush. A search of the sack’s contents yielded the discovery of 69.8 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $55,840. The marijuana was also turned over to DEA. On May 4, agents, from a covert position, observed several individuals carrying large bags and inner tubes near the Rio Grande River. Agents converged on the area and located the bags, abandoned in the brush. The bags contained 118.3 pounds of marijuana, valued at $94,640. The contraband was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations. On the same day, a different set of agents responded to possible illegal activity in a remote ranch. Agents followed foot sign which led them to four military-style duffel bags, hidden with grass and brush. The bags were abandoned and contained 175.4 pounds of marijuana with a street value of $140,320. This contraband was also turned over to Homeland Security Investigations.
On March 10, a canine agent from the Del Rio Border Patrol Station was patrolling an area commonly utilized for alien and narcotics smuggling when his service canine alerted to the air scent of narcotics. The dog led agents to a thick, brushy area where multiple brick-shaped packages were found strewn under a tree. The packages contained a total of 289.8 pounds of marijuana with an estimated street value of $231,840. On March 24, the same canine agent was patrolling a similar area when his canine alerted to the air scent of narcotics again. The canine led agents to several more bundles that contained 5.7 pounds of marijuana, worth $4,560. The narcotics were turned over to DEA.
On March 25, an agent from the Eagle Pass South Border Patrol Station was working the pre-primary inspection lane of the Border Patrol checkpoint when a service canine alerted to the presence of possible narcotics inside a vehicle. The agent proceeded to search the car where he discovered 54 pills hidden inside a deodorant bottle within some personal effects of a passenger. A test concluded that the pills were MDMA (ecstasy) worth a total of $908. The subject and narcotics were turned over to the Maverick County Sheriff’s Office.
On April 6, agents from the Uvalde Border Patrol Station were alerted to possible illegal activity on a nearby highway. Agents observed a vehicle within the area that fled once agents tried to initiate a traffic stop. Officers from DPS and Uvalde County Sheriff’s Office assisted agents in pursuing the truck until it eventually drove through a fence and into a remote section of ranch. The driver absconded and 230.1 pounds of marijuana, wrapped in cellophane bricks, was recovered from the bed of the truck. The contraband has an estimated value of $184,088 and was seized, along with the truck, by the Uvalde County Sheriff’s Office.
On April 22, riverine agents from the Comstock Border Patrol Station were patrolling Lake Amistad when they found a brick of suspected narcotics floating on the water. The brick contained 1.6 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $1,280.00. The 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 $8.4 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.
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