Border Patrol Agents Seize Nearly 4 Tons of Marijuana in 2 Days

Edinburg, Texas ─ Nearly four tons of marijuana were seized since November 7, by U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Rio Grande Valley Sector.

The largest seizure occurred at the Sarita Checkpoint on U.S. Highway 77 when agents found more than 3,000 pounds of marijuana hidden inside a tractor-trailer.

click for hi-res U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Kingsville Station seized more than the 3,000 pounds of marijuana hidden inside a tractor-trailer at the Sarita Checkpoint Tuesday.

Another sizable load of marijuana was seized that same day near Abram, Texas, when agents saw a suspicious Chevrolet Suburban traveling north from the Rio Grande at a high rate of speed. After the driver noticed he was being followed by agents, he drove through a chain-link fence and abandoned the vehicle south of the levee. Inside the Suburban, agents found nearly 1,500 pounds of marijuana.

Several additional seizures on November 7 and November 8, brought the total amount of marijuana seized to nearly 8,000 pounds, with an estimated value of more than $6.3 million. The drugs were turned over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation.

To report suspicious activity, call the Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol Sector’s toll-free telephone number at (800) 863-9382.

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.