Border Patrol Agents Seize 1,400 Pounds of Drugs in Texas

Border Patrol agents working in the Del Rio Sector have seized over 1,400 pounds of drugs that were being smuggled into Texas. The seizures occurred in five separated incidents over the past few weeks.

Beginning on August 8, Border Patrol agents working near Uvalde, Texas, encountered a vehicle on Highway 57. The encounter occurred during a linewatch operation, according to information obtained by Breitbart Texas from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The agents pulled over the vehicle to conduct an immigration inspection on the occupants. During the inspection, agents found 6.7 pounds of methamphetamine–with an estimated street value $214,400. The driver was arrested and the vehicle and drugs were seized. The driver was turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for possible prosecution. The vehicle and drugs were placed in evidence.

Two days later, agents working at the Bracketville Station were conducting linewatch operations near Highway 131. Fresh footprints in an area commonly used by smugglers led the agents to six duffel bags containing 341 pounds of marijuana. The smugglers had apparently left the drugs behind to be picked up. No people were discovered nearby. The marijuana seized had an estimated valued of $273,196. The duffel bags were turned over to the DEA for disposal.

An August 12, Border Patrol agents from Eagle Pass encountered a suspicious vehicle near the town of Quemado. After following the vehicle, the driver began driving erratically. He eventually abandoned the vehicle and fled into a field. The driver escaped but agents found 335 pounds of marijuana they estimated to be worth $251,120. The drugs were turned over to the DEA.

Six more duffel bags filled with marijuana were found on August 14 when agents working out of the Uvlade Station were called to a ranch about suspicious activity. The marijuana weighed 313 pounds and was estimated to be worth $251,120, agents reported. The marijuana was turned over to the DEA for investigation.

Finally, on August 25, agents working out of the Eagle Pass Station found fresh footprints in the brush. The agents tracked the footprints and discovered one person guarding seven military-style duffel bags. The bags contained 417 pounds of marijuana. The agents estimated the street value at $334,160. The individual found with the bags was turned over to the DEA along with the marijuana.

This brought the total seizures since August 8 to over 1,400 pounds worth of drugs that will not be finding their way to the streets in Texas or elsewhere in the country. During this fiscal year, Border Patrol agents in the Del Rio Sector have seized $7.5 million worth of narcotics.

“Del Rio Sector agents are committed to securing our border and intercepting the flow of illegal narcotics into the country,” Del Rio Sector Acting Chief Patrol Agent Matthew Hudak said in a written statement obtained by Breitbart Texas. “I am extremely proud of our agents for their hard work and dedication protecting our nations’ borders.”

Lana Shadwick is a contributing writer and legal analyst for Breitbart Texas. She has served as a prosecutor and associate judge in Texas. Follow her on Twitter @LanaShadwick2.