Border Patrol Agents in Texas Seize Half Ton of Marijuana During Past Week

Friday, May 16, 2008

Del Rio, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Del Rio Sector seized nearly 1,000 pounds of marijuana, in five separate incidents, over the past week.

On May 9th during a routine immigration inspection at a highway checkpoint, Border Patrol agents from the Eagle Pass South Border Patrol station discovered 88 pounds of marijuana hidden in the back of a station wagon. The marijuana had an estimated street value of $70,592.

On May 12th Eagle Pass South Border Patrol agents apprehended two men, who were found to be in the country illegally. While searching the area a service K-9 discovered two tires. Border Patrol agents removed nearly 153 pounds of marijuana with an estimated street value of $122,304 from the tires.

A trail of footprints led Border Patrol agents to a group of men carrying duffle bags near Eagle Pass, on the evening of May 14. The bags contained nearly 224 pounds of marijuana, valued at approximately $179,040. On the same day while following tracks on a ranch near Carrizo Springs, Border Patrol agents encountered four men from Central America who had entered the country illegally by crossing the Rio Grande River. A search of the surrounding area turned up several bundles of marijuana, weighing nearly 154 pounds with an estimated street value of $122,800.

On May 15th Del Rio station Border Patrol agents encountered footprints leading away from the Rio Grande. The Border Patrol agents, assisted by a service K-9, followed the trail and discovered five large sacks hidden in the brush. The sacks contained nearly 375 pounds of marijuana with an estimated street value of $299,520.