CBP U.S. Border Patrol Vehicles Disabled by Spikes During Drug Seizure

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Los Ebanos, Texas ─ Four U.S. Border Patrol vehicles were disabled with homemade spikes Thursday afternoon as agents assigned to the Rio Grande City Station confiscated more than a 1,000 pounds of marijuana.

Homemade spikes were used by smugglers to disable four U.S. Border Patrol vehicles during a marijuana seizure Thursday afternoon near Los Ebanos, Texas.

The event occurred when agents patrolling the area observed several people loading a pickup truck with bundles near the Rio Grande. Agents approached the truck as it was being driven away from the river, at which time the vehicle sped away and turned back south. In an attempt to avoid capture, several homemade spikes were thrown from the window of the truck, disabling four Border Patrol vehicles. The driver plunged the pickup into the river in an attempt to recover the bundles for a future smuggling attempt.

Despite smugglers disabling four U.S. Border Patrol vehicles, agents assigned to the Rio Grande City Station seized more than 1,000 pounds of marijuana Thursday afternoon.

The smugglers managed to escape to Mexico, but agents were able to seize more than 1,000 pounds of marijuana with an estimated value of nearly $900,000.

Recently, a new state law went into effect that outlaws the possession, manufacture, transportation, repair or sale of caltrops. The law further enhances punishment when caltrops are used for evading arrest. Anyone from the public is urged to call the Border Patrol’s toll-free number or the Hidalgo County Crime Stoppers Hotline at (956) 668-TIPS. Callers will remain anonymous.

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.