Border Patrol in Texas Has Busy Holiday Weekend; Seizes Drug Loads

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Del Rio, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Del Rio, Texas sector seized more than 500 pounds of marijuana during this past holiday weekend and also arrested three subjects in connection with the drug seizures. The apprehensions were made using a variety of enforcement methods including traffic checkpoints, roving patrol and river patrol.

The most significant seizure was made by the

Lake Amistad Task Force, during 30-40 mph winds, with more than 195 pounds of marijuana seized. Border Patrol agents had witnessed a rendezvous between a boat and a vehicle at one of the boat ramps on Lake Amistad. Due to the suspicious behavior of the occupants, the agents decided to investigate further, and performed a traffic stop on the vehicle.

Inside the truck, the agents found the marijuana. They immediately notified additional agents in the area who then went to check on the boat. Due to the high winds, the boat was having difficulty on the water, and the agents were able to move in and quickly intercept the boat.

Agents seized the vehicle containing the marijuana and the boat, since it had been used as the currier on the lake. The marijuana was valued at more than $150,000.

A separate seizure was made along the Vega Verde area of the Rio Grande. A Border Patrol canine and his handler were responding to suspicious activity when they encountered multiple subjects absconding back into Mexico. A subsequent search of the area resulted in the discovery of 219 pounds of marijuana.