Mexican Mules Dump Over 800 Pounds of Weed and Swim Home

RIO GRANDE CITY, TX – Within hours, Rio Grande City Border Patrol (RGC) agents seized more than $660K worth of marijuana in two failed narcotics smuggling attempts. 

Monday night, RGC agents working near Salineno, Texas, observed several subjects heading north from the Rio Grande with bundles of suspected narcotics.  As agents responded to the location, they discovered the abandoned bundles, and some of the suspected smugglers were seen swimming into Mexico. After a search of the area, one subject was encountered hiding nearby. Agents apprehended the individual.  The marijuana seized weighed over 360 pounds and is worth an estimated $293K.  The suspect and narcotics were turned over to the Starr County Sheriff’s Office.

Tuesday morning, RGC agents working near Roma, Texas, responded to suspicious activity near the Rio Grande.  Upon arrival, agents encountered an abandoned pickup truck with bundles of marijuana inside bed of truck.  The driver apparently caused minor property damage to a fence before absconding, leaving behind the vehicle and narcotics.  Roma Police Department was contacted and issued a case number for the damages.  The marijuana weighed over 450 pounds and is valued at over $366K.