Agents Foil Drug Smuggling Attempts

Del Rio, Texas Border Patrol agents assigned to the Del Rio Sector seized more than 650 pounds of marijuana during the Memorial Day holiday weekend in three separate incidents. The largest seizure was made by Border Patrol agents assigned to the Comstock station and agents from the Lake Task Force Unit. Agents were alerted to suspicious activity and began monitoring a boat traveling from the international boundary of Mexico into the United States across Lake Amistad. Agents in Texas seize more than 650 pounds of marijuana from two failed smuggling attempts. With the aid of night vision equipment, agents witnessed three individuals off load several large bundles from the boat near a parking area. Minutes later, an SUV pulled into the parking area and two individuals from the boat loaded the bundles into the SUV. Agents were able to intercept the driver, one of the individuals from the boat and the narcotics. Nearly 380 pounds of marijuana were seized, with an estimated street value of more than $336,000.00. The contraband and driver were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration. In a separate incident, Border Patrol agents assigned to the Del Rio Station were on routine patrol when they were alerted to suspicious activity along the Rio Grande River. While responding, Border Patrol agents encountered two large burlap sacks containing bundles of marijuana. Minutes later, agents responded to suspicious activity in the same proximity and encountered two more large burlap sacks also filled with marijuana. The four burlap sacks resulted in the seizure of more than 278 pounds of marijuana with an estimated street value of over $244,000.00. The contraband was turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for disposal. As agents continue to hold the line, their hard work and diligence has paid off with significant arrests and seizures. In fiscal year 2008, which began on October 1, 2007, Del Rio Sector agents have arrested more than 13,000 illegal aliens and seized more than 30,000 pounds of marijuana.