May 17, 2009  Edinburg, Texas
Border Patrol at the Rio Grande Valley Sector seize 18,159 pounds of pot

The U.S. Border Patrol's Rio Grande Valley Sector has experienced a continued increase in narcotic seizures from May 11 through May 17. There were 60 drug seizures totaling more than 9 tons of marijuana seized within that week compared to seizures of 3.8 tons for the same time period for the previous year.

Rio Grande Valley Sector overall has experienced a 71.4% increase in narcotic seizures in the reporting period over the same time period of the previous year.

In the largest seizure, agents from the Rio Grande City Border Patrol Station discovered 3,883 pounds of marijuana after agents encountered a suspicious truck traveling north from the river at a high rate of speed. The vehicle fled and was eventually deserted and the load of narcotics was found in the truck and scattered throughout a nearby dilapidated shed.

In two separate incidents, agents of the Kingsville Border Patrol Station seized a total of 4,782 pounds of marijuana after canine teams alerted to two different tractor trailers.

Rio Grande City agents seized 1,454 pounds of marijuana from two separate vehicles after each was seen departing the Rio Grande River area.

Border Patrol agents working near La Joya seized 781 pounds of marijuana after agents spotted a car driving away from the river area. The driver abandoned his vehicle and absconded. Brownsville Border Patrol Station agents seized 692 pounds of marijuana when they observed several subjects carrying bundles away from the Rio Grande River area. As the agents approached, the subjects abandoned their cargo and fled into Mexico. Finally, agents assigned to the Falfurrias Border Patrol Station seized 1,812 pounds of marijuana from a tractor trailer after a canine team alert.

In total, 18,159 pounds of marijuana were seized and turned over to the DEA.
Source: US Customs and Border Protection