Border Patrol Agents Seize $8.6 Million in Drugs, Thwart Human Smuggler

Laredo, Texas Laredo Sector Border Patrol agents seized two loads of drugs and stopped a human smuggling attempt in three cases. Agents assigned to the Laredo North station are credited with making the larger of the drug seizures. The case unfolded when agents working at the Interstate 35 checkpoint performed an immigration inspection of the driver of a tractor-trailer. A Border Patrol canine alerted toward the trailer. Agents searched the trailer and found several cellophane-wrapped bundles in two cardboard boxes. The bundles contained cocaine with a total weight of 269.6 pounds and an estimated street value of $8.6 million. The cocaine, truck and driver were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration. Agents assigned to the Freer station made the second drug seizure when they performed immigration inspections of the passengers of a commercial bus at the checkpoint located on U.S. Highway 59 west of Freer. During the inspection, a Border Patrol canine alerted toward a suitcase in the luggage compartment. Agents searched the suitcase and found four bundles of marijuana with a total weight of 58.9 pounds and an estimated value of $47,120. The bag was not tagged and none of the passengers claimed ownership. The marijuana was turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration. Agents working at the I-35 checkpoint also thwarted a human smuggling attempt. As the agents performed an immigration inspection of the driver of a tractor-trailer, a Border Patrol canine alerted toward the trailer. Agents searched the trailer and found 13 undocumented aliens inside. All of the subjects were processed for prosecution.