Holiday Doesn’t Slow Smugglers: Border Patrol Seizes $5 Million in Marijuana

Edinburg, Texas ─ More than $5.3 million worth of marijuana was confiscated in multiple seizures by U.S. Border Patrol agents throughout the Rio Grande Valley Sector in a 48-hour time period spanning the Thanksgiving holiday.

	click for hi-res Agents stationed in Texas had a busy holiday yesterday, including this seizure of bundles of marijuana.

One of the largest seizures occurred Thursday at the Falfurrias Checkpoint, when a K-9 alerted to the odor of narcotics. A subsequent search revealed more than 1,100 pounds of marijuana hidden within a spool of fiber optic wire. The driver and marijuana were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

In a separate incident Wednesday, agents from the McAllen Station seized more than 700 pounds of marijuana near Madero, Texas. Agents patrolling the Rio Grande observed a group of people carrying large backpacks. As soon as the group spotted the agents, they dropped their cargo and fled to Mexico. The marijuana was turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for further investigation.

“Our agents work diligently day in and day out to protect the nation from these dangerous drugs,” said Acting Chief Patrol Agent Armando Mercado Jr. “While we Americans enjoy our Thanksgiving holiday with our families, it is important to remember the agents who safeguard our communities.”

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.