September 20, 2007    Del Rio, Texas
Border Patrol agents seize more than 262 pounds of marijuana during two incidents near the Rio Grande River

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Border Patrol agents from the Del Rio sector seized more than 250 pounds of marijuana in two separate incidents Thursday.

At 2:30 a.m. Thursday, Border Patrol agents working along the Rio Grande River near Del Rio were alerted to activity along the river and responded to the area. Soon agents observed two individuals carrying large bundles. The two were being lead by a third person. When the agents approached the three attempted to run away, but were caught. The two bundles contained 138 pounds of marijuana with an estimated value of more than $110,000.

Around noon Thursday, Border Patrol agents patrolling the Dimmit County area noticed footprints along a well-known alien and narcotics smuggling trail and began following them. Other agents responded and came across a group of ten persons in the area near where the other agents were following footprints. After the agents following the footprints traveled about five miles, they encountered four subjects hiding in thick brush along a creek bottom. A Border Patrol Canine Team dispatched to the area located four large bundles. The four bundles contained 124 pounds of marijuana with an estimated value of more than $99,000.

Combined, the total weight of the seized marijuana was 262 pounds worth an estimated $209,000. The marijuana and the individuals apprehended with the marijuana were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Source: US Customs/Border Patrol