Border Patrol Agents Seize Over Ten Pounds of Methamphetamine

DEL RIO, TX – Border Patrol agents from the Del Rio Station located over 10 pounds of methamphetamine adjacent to the Highway 277 North Border Patrol Checkpoint.

According to a press release from the Border Patrol, “Drug trafficking organizations, desperate for profit, will go to great lengths to try and elude detection and smuggle narcotics to the interior of the United States,” said Del Rio Sector Chief Patrol Agent Felix Chavez. “Our agents use various law enforcement methods, like checkpoints, and adaptive patrol strategies to stop these criminals and their contraband well before they reach their destination.”

On the afternoon of Aug. 8, Del Rio Border Patrol agents were alerted to possible illegal activity in the remote area surrounding the Highway 277 checkpoint. Agents responded and with the assistance of a service canine located a recently discarded backpack, hidden among the brush. Agents inspected the backpack and discovered eight individually wrapped packages containing 10.4 pounds of methamphetamine.  

The seized narcotics, with an estimated street value of nearly $50,000, were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for further investigation.

“Smugglers within the Del Rio Sector area of responsibility are attempting to circumvent law enforcement by transporting humans and narcotics via foot around established checkpoints,” continued Chief Felix Chavez. “In this instance, the recovered drugs were packaged in a manner typically consistent with vehicle smuggling. However, it appears that the smuggler feared imminent detection at the checkpoint and resorted to a different yet unsuccessful strategy.”

The Del Rio Border Patrol Sector is part of the Joint Task Force-West South Texas Corridor, which leverages federal, state and local resources to combat transnational criminal organizations. To report suspicious activity call the Del Rio Sector’s toll free number at 1-866-511-8727.