May 12, 2006  Pharr, Texas
US Customs seizes 287 pounds of Cocaine

Weslaco, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection Border Patrol agents working near Pharr, Texas, seized 287 pounds of cocaine that was concealed in a Ford Expedition. The contraband has an estimated value of $9,196,800.

Yesterday at 3:30 p.m., agents assigned to the Weslaco Border Patrol Station observed three male subjects loading something into a sports utility vehicle that was parked close to the Rio Grande River. As agents approached the SUV the three men jump into the river and swam back to Mexico. The agents searched the abandoned SUV and discovered 287 pounds of cocaine. The contraband and the vehicle were turned over to the DEA for further investigation.

In fiscal year 2006, Rio Grande Valley Sector agents have intercepted a total of 1,488 pounds of cocaine valued at $47,616,000.

Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection