September 11, 09

NEWS / Rain Does Not Dampen Smuggling Efforts, 880 Pounds of Marijuana Seized Near Rio Grande

Abram, Texas — Despite all the rainfall in the Rio Grande Valley, drug smugglers persist in their efforts to smuggle narcotics across the U.S./Mexican Border. Their efforts however, were thwarted on Wednesday when U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the McAllen Station seized 880 pounds of marijuana.


McAllen agents observed two All Terrain Vehicles near Abram, Texas loaded with large bundles near the Rio Grande River. Agents observed the ATVs head north from the river area at a high rate of speed. The operators of the ATVs then stopped and began loading the bundles into a gray 2002 Ford F-150 pick up truck.

As the agents approached the vehicle, the suspects on the ATVs fled the area leaving behind the bundles and the pick up. Agents immediately searched the area but did not locate the subjects. The 40 bundles of marijuana weighing 880 pounds were left behind in the bed and back seat of the vehicle. The marijuana has an estimated street value of $704,000.


The narcotics and vehicle were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration while the case remains under investigation.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/09102009_10.xml