CBP Border Patrol Seizes More Than 5,000 Pounds of Marijuana

Friday, January 19, 2007

Roma, Texas — On January 18, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Border Patrol agents intercepted 5,131 pounds of marijuana in Escobares, Texas. The value of the narcotics is over $4 million.

The seizure occurred when agents assigned to the Rio Grande City station patrolling the border, became aware of suspicious activity occurring approximately five miles west of Roma, Texas. Agents responded to the area and observed two vans parked on the road adjacent to the Rio Grande River. When the agents approached the vehicles, four occupants fled the area and a foot pursuit ensued resulting in the arrest of a Mexican national, illegally present in the United States. A search of the abandoned vans led to the discovery of 240 bundles of marijuana, weighing 5,131 pounds with a value of $4,104,800.