September 18, 2007    Del Rio, Texas
Customs agents seized 567 pounds of marijuana in three different incidents

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Border Patrol agents from the Del Rio Sector seized more than 550 pounds of marijuana in three separate incidents overnight.

At 2:30 a.m. Tuesday, Border Patrol agents working along the Rio Grande River near Del Rio noticed footprints coming from the river and began following them. When the individuals spotted them, they fled, dropping four large bundles. After a brief foot chase, two individuals were apprehended. The four bundles contained 267 pounds of marijuana with an estimated value of more than $213,000.

At 10:45 p.m. Monday evening, Border Patrol agents patrolling the Eagle Pass area came across a vehicle with a strong odor of marijuana. After obtaining permission from the driver to search the vehicle, the agents found 163 pounds of marijuana with an estimated value of more than $130,000. The driver, vehicle and marijuana were transported to the Eagle Pass Border Patrol station for processing.

In a third incident, agents working along the Rio Grande River near Del Rio spotted three individuals swimming toward the U.S. with a large bundle Monday about 6:30 p.m. As agents approached, the three swam back to Mexico. After searching the area, agents found a large bundle of marijuana on the bank and transported it to the Del Rio Station. A Border Patrol airboat searched the area and found a second bundle floating in the river near where the first bundle was found. The two bundles contained 137 pounds of marijuana with an estimated value of more than $109,000.

Combined, the total weight of the seized marijuana was 567 pounds worth an estimated $452,000. The marijuana and three individuals were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Source: US Customs/Border Patrol