Smugglers Attempt Rafting Drugs Across Rio Grande

Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol agents seized approximately 60 pounds of cocaine and nearly 900 pounds of marijuana.

Yesterday, Brownsville Border Patrol Station agents working near Brownsville, Texas, observed a white Ford Ranger driving away from banks of the Rio Grande. As agents responded to the area, the vehicle changed direction and headed back towards the Rio Grande. Smugglers then attempted to load the vehicle onto a makeshift raft which was used to bring the vehicle into the United States. The vehicle became stuck on the riverbank during the process of loading it onto the raft. The driver was seen jumping into the river and absconding into Mexico.  Agents extracted 32 bundles of marijuana with a weight of approximately 730 pounds.  The seized marijuana is valued at over $500K.

Yesterday afternoon, Kingsville Border Patrol Station agents working at the Javier Vega Jr. Checkpoint, were conducting checkpoint operations when a male subject driving a white sedan arrived for an immigration inspection.  During the immigration inspection, the K-9 handler informed the primary agent that his K-9 alerted to the trunk area of the vehicle.  The vehicle was then sent to secondary inspection for further review.  The driver of the vehicle bypassed the secondary inspection area and proceeded to drive away from the checkpoint.  Kenedy County Sheriff’s Office was advised and encountered the vehicle near La Parra Road in Sarita, Texas.  The vehicle was observed entering a nearby ranch through an open gate. Authorities reported the driver attempted to abscond from the vehicle, but was quickly apprehended. Agents searched the vehicle and discovered narcotics throughout. Agents seized methamphetamine pills, THC edibles, marijuana, mushrooms, and Xanax tablets.  The case was turned over to Kenedy County Sheriff’s Office.

Later that evening, agents at the Javier Vega Jr. Checkpoint, inspected the driver of a Ford truck towing a flatbed trailer. During the inspection, a service K-9 alerted to the trailer, and the vehicle was referred to secondary inspection for further investigation.  In secondary, the K-9 alerted to two pallets of topsoil on the flatbed trailer.  Agents removed the topsoil packages and discovered several plastic wrapped bundles of marijuana. The driver was placed under arrest and escorted into the checkpoint for case processing.  As agents were inventorying the vehicle and trailer, they discovered 25 bricks of cocaine.  The seized cocaine weighed over 60 pounds and is valued at almost $2M. The marijuana weighed over 150 pounds and is valued at over $126K.  The case was turned over to Kenedy County Sheriff’s Office.