Southern Texas Border Patrol Agents Seize $1 Million In Drugs Over Past Week

Del Rio, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Del Rio Sector seized more than $1 million worth of drugs over the past week.

The most noteworthy case involved the seizure of 342.5 pounds of marijuana, with an estimated value of $274,000. Around midnight on August 22nd, Eagle Pass North Station agents stopped a 2008 Chevy HHR loaded with burlap sacks, north of Eagle Pass. After stopping the vehicle, the agents discovered the burlap sacks were loaded with marijuana.

Also on August 22, agents from the Eagle Pass South Station encountered four undocumented aliens carrying large backpacks on an area ranch. The backpacks contained several bricks of marijuana, weighing a total of 100.1 pounds, estimated to be worth $80,600. Later that evening Eagle Pass South Station agents found three abandoned large bundles of marijuana, weighing a total of 210.6 pounds, valued at $168,480.

August 24, agents from the Eagle Pass North Station encountered six undocumented aliens and four large duffel bags on an area ranch. The duffel bags contained 80 bricks of marijuana weighing a total of 182.2 pounds, worth $145,760.

August 25, Del Rio Station agents, working at a highway checkpoint, referred a 1999 Chevrolet Astro van for inspection after a service canine alerted to the vehicle. Upon searching the vehicle, agents discovered a spare tire loaded with 37.4 pounds of marijuana, valued at $29,920.

August 26, Eagle Pass North Station agents found four duffel bags abandoned on an area ranch. The bags contained 200.1 pounds of marijuana, estimated to be worth $160,080.

August 28, agents from the Eagle Pass North Station, patrolling on an area ranch, encountered two abandoned duffle bags totaling 88 pounds, worth $70,400.

August 29, Eagle Pass North Station agents found two large bundles of marijuana, weighing a total of 115.9 pounds, worth $92,700, abandoned on an area ranch.

The suspects and contraband seized in each case were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

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.