Gravel Truck Bust Nets Border Patrol Agents 2.5 Ton Drug Seizure

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Laredo, Texas – Border Patrol agents assigned to the Hebbronville station seized a shipment of marijuana Monday weighing more than 2 ½ tons.

Agents responded to reports of a suspicious tractor-trailer driving through a ranch north of Hebbronville. They soon spotted a truck matching the description given in the report and stopped it along a dirt road on the ranch.

While agents conducted an immigration inspection of the two occupants of the cab, a Border Patrol canine alerted agents toward the trailer, indicating the presence of hidden people or contraband.

The trailer was the type specially designed to haul bulk cargo such as dirt or gravel. At first glance, the trailer appeared to be carrying a full load of sand mixed with gravel. Upon closer examination, agents discovered cellophane-wrapped bundles buried under the sand and gravel.

Agents removed 309 bundles from the trailer. The bundles contained marijuana with a total weight of 5,793 pounds and an approximate street value of $4,634,400.

The marijuana, the truck and the two people were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.