Border Patrol Agents Seize Over $2 million Worth of Narcotics in Four Days
(Press Release) Eagle Pass South Border Patrol agents seized $2,110,476 worth narcotics and arrested six people between May 12 and 15.
“Our agents remain steadfast in their commitment to keep dangerous drugs like these out of our country,” said Acting Chief Patrol Agent of Del Rio Sector Matthew J. Hudak. “These seizures and arrests demonstrate the contribution that our checkpoints make to our border security mission and how the continued support from our community is critical to that success.”
On May 12, agents assigned to the Eagle Pass South Station immigration checkpoint on Highway 57, seized 14.5 pounds of cocaine in a vehicle. The U.S. citizen driver, 23, from Piedras Negras was arrested for narcotics smuggling. The cocaine has a street value of $466,880.
Minutes later, agents assigned to the Eagle Pass immigration checkpoint on Highway 57 arrested two U.S. citizen women from Eagle Pass in a vehicle, ages 22 and 18, for smuggling 7.6 pounds of heroin. The heroin seized has a street value of $244,100.
On May 14, Eagle Pass South agents assigned to the immigration checkpoint on Highway 57 seized over 41 pounds of cocaine with a street value of $1,339,520 inside a vehicle and arrested the driver, a 43-year-old man. The subject, a Mexican citizen from Frontera, Coahuila, Mexico, was arrested for narcotics smuggling.
On May 15, Eagle Pass South agents tracked footprints leading away from the border and discovered two Mexican nationals with duffel bags containing 74.9 pounds of marijuana. The marijuana was seized and the two subjects were arrested for narcotics smuggling. The marijuana seized has a street value of $59,976.
All of the narcotics and subjects arrested were turned over to DEA for federal prosecution.
For Fiscal Year 2017, which began on Oct. 1, 2016, the Del Rio Border Patrol Sector has seized more than $10.5 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.
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.
