CBP Agents Not Deterred by Homemade Spikes

Los Ebanos, Texas ─ Two U.S. Border Patrol vehicles were disabled with homemade spikes Thursday as agents assigned to the Rio Grande City station confiscated nearly a ton of marijuana.

U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Rio Grande City Station seize more than 1,800 pounds of marijuana Thursday from a vehicle that was plunged into the Rio Grande.

The event occurred when agents patrolling the area, observed a white Chevrolet Suburban driving north. The driver of the Suburban made an abrupt turn and drove toward the river while the passenger was throwing homemade spikes in order to disable service vehicles. Two Border Patrol vehicles sustained flat tires as a result. The driver of the Suburban drove into the Rio Grande over a high embankment. Several boats were waiting below and picked up the driver and passenger and took them to Mexico.

“The reckless use of homemade spikes by these smugglers in an attempt to prevent us from seizing their contraband, put not only our agents in danger, but the public in general as well,” said Chief Patrol Agent Rosendo Hinojosa.“We will not be deterred by the desperate measures to which these criminal organizations are resorting. We will continue to protect this nation from all threats.”

Border Patrol agents assigned to the McAllen boat unit were called in to assist in recovering the narcotics from the submerged vehicle. In total agents seized more than 1,800 pounds of marijuana with an estimated street value of $1.5 million.

If anyone has information regarding the manufacture and or deployment of these spikes, they are urged to contact the Hidalgo County Crime Stoppers at (956) 668-TIPS.

To report suspicious activity, call the Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol Sector’s toll-free telephone number at (800) 863-9382.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.