Del Rio Sector Agents Seize $1.9 Million in Drugs Over Past Week

Smugglers charge $1,000 - $3,000 per alien
(Wednesday, May 11, 2011)
contacts for this news release


Del Rio, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Del Rio Sector seized more than $1.9 million worth of drugs over the past week.

	Agents from the Del Rio Border Patrol Station discovered a suitcase filled with nearly 60 pounds of marijuana on a commercial bus, May 7.

The most noteworthy case involved the seizure of 46.12 pounds of cocaine, with an estimated value of $1,475,840. On the afternoon of May 5, agents assigned to the Eagle Pass South Station located a vehicle matching the description of one being sought by local authorities. Agents stopped the vehicle, driven by an Eagle Pass woman, who was accompanied by her minor daughter. After a Border Patrol canine alerted to the vehicle, agents searched and discovered an after-market compartment in the floor. Inside the compartment, agents found 19 black-wrapped packages of cocaine. The woman, cocaine and vehicle were turned over to the Texas Department of Public Safety. The minor was released to a relative.

• On May 5, Uvalde Station agents manning a highway checkpoint, discovered 68.8 pounds of marijuana, valued at $55,040, in the trunk of a 2002 Mercury Cougar. The driver, a 29-year-old Austin woman, was turned over to the Uvalde County Sheriff’s Office, along with the marijuana and vehicle.
• On May 6, agents assigned to the Del Rio Station discovered several sets of fresh footprints leading away from the Rio Grande River. With the assistance of a Border Patrol canine team, and helicopter support from the CBP Office of Air and Marine, agents apprehended four men – all Mexican citizens in the country illegally – and seized a total of 13 bundles of marijuana, containing 225 pounds of marijuana. The suspects, and marijuana – valued at $180,400, were turned over to DEA.
• Also on May 6, agents from the Eagle Pass North Station found four large bundles of marijuana, weighing a total of 190.5 pounds, abandoned on an area ranch. The marijuana, estimated to be worth $152,400, was turned over to DEA.
• On May 7, Del Rio Station agents, working at a highway checkpoint, found a suitcase full of marijuana while inspecting a northbound coach bus. The marijuana, weighing 58.8 pounds, valued at $47,040, was turned over to DEA.

Also, over the past week, agents throughout the Del Rio Sector discovered seven cases of alien smuggling, apprehending 26 illegal aliens and six alien smugglers. Smuggling fees in the various cases ranged from $1,000 to $3,000 per person.

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.