Del Rio Sector Border Patrol Seizes 1,100 Pounds of Marijuana

DEL RIO, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents working in the Del Rio Sector seized more than 1,100 pounds of marijuana, with an estimated value of more than $895,000 in three different incidents.

“The men and women of the Del Rio Sector Border Patrol remain vigilant and go above and beyond the call of duty,” said Rodolfo Karisch, Chief Patrol Agent, Del Rio Sector. “I commend our agents for their hard work and dedication in protecting our nation’s borders.”

On Aug. 11, at approximately 1 a.m., agents from the Eagle Pass Station, conducting linewatch operations, encountered six large abandoned bundles near the river. The bundles were found to contain 432 pounds of marijuana, valued at $345,824. The narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

On Aug. 12, at approximately 6 p.m., agents from the Uvalde Station received a phone call from a concerned citizen reporting several suspicious individuals exiting the brush with duffel bags and getting into a Chevrolet pickup near Farm to Market Road 481. As agents drove up to the pickup parked along FM 481, they observed two individuals jump the fence and run into the brush. As the agents approached the pickup, they questioned a man who claimed to be the driver.  After further investigation and a search of the area, agents discovered five large duffel bags. The duffel bags were found to contain 233 pounds of marijuana, valued at $186,880. The marijuana and driver were turned over to DEA.

On Aug. 18, at approximately midnight, an agent from the Eagle Pass Station while conducting linewatch operations, observed a suspicious Chevrolet pickup parked near the main gate of a private property. The agent attempted to perform an immigration inspection on the occupant of the pickup.  As the agent drove up to the vehicle it sped off and failed to yield.  After coming to a slow roll the driver of the pickup bailed out. The pickup rolled a short distance and came to a stop after hitting a tree. While securing the vehicle, the agent discovered one male subject and four bundles in the bed of the pickup. The agents performed an immigration inspection on the subject, revealing that he was a citizen of Mexico and illegally in the U.S. The bundles were found to contain 256 pounds of marijuana, valued at $204,960. The subject was placed under arrest and transported to the Eagle Pass South Station for processing. The narcotics were turned over to the DEA.

On Aug. 31, at approximately 10 p.m., agents from the Eagle Pass Station, conducting linewatch operations, witnessed five individuals wade across the Rio Grande River from Mexico and illegally enter the U.S.  The agents arrested one individual and the other four returned to Mexico.  A search of the area was conducted and agents encountered one large duffel bag containing 31 pounds of marijuana, valued at $25,424. The subject was transported to the Eagle Pass South Station for processing. The narcotics were turned over to the DEA.

On Sep. 1, at approximately 4 a.m., agents from the Uvalde Station, conducting linewatch operations, attempted to perform an immigration inspection on the occupant of a Chevrolet pickup. The vehicle failed to yield and the agent observed four to five occupants run out of the vehicle and into the brush. While securing the vehicle, the agent discovered one military-style backpack on the floorboard in the backseat of the pickup. The backpack was found to contain 22 pounds of marijuana, valued at $18,160. The narcotics were turned over to the DEA.

On Sep. 2, at approximately 7 p.m., agents from the Eagle Pass South Station, conducting linewatch operations, encountered two large bundles abandoned near the Rio Grande River. The bundles were found to contain 143 pounds of marijuana, valued at $114,608. The narcotics were turned over to the DEA.

For Fiscal Year 2015, the Del Rio Border Patrol Sector has seized more than $11.8 million worth of narcotics. The Del Rio Border Patrol Sector is part of the South Texas Corridor, which leverages federal, state and local resources to combat transnational criminal organizations.

To report suspicious activity, call the sector’s toll free number at 1-866-511-8727.

The Del Rio Border Patrol Sector is part of the Joint Task Force-West South Texas Corridor, which leverages federal, state and local resources to combat transnational criminal organizations.

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.