Gloria I. Chavez, chief patrol agent of the U.S. Border Patrol's Rio Grande Valley sector, said drug smugglers in Brownsville, TX abandoned the contraband after being discovered by agents shortly after crossing the Rio Grande on Nov 17. This event shines a light on the ongoing struggle against drug smuggling at the border.
"In five days RGV seized over 189lbs of Marijuana. Drug smugglers in Brownsville, TX abandoned the contraband after being discovered by agents shortly after crossing the Rio Grande. Kudos to all RGV Border Patrol agents working every day keeping drugs from reaching our communities," said Gloria I. Chavez.
The geographical position and ease of access have made the Rio Grande Valley Sector a popular spot for illicit activities. The Rio Grande Valley Sector is one of the most targeted areas used by Mexican cartels to smuggle drugs. In August, Border Patrol agents working with the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, in the Rio Grande City area, observed suspected narcotics being delivered to a pick-up truck parked along the Rio Grande River, according to a government media release.
In addition to strategic monitoring and observation tactics, law enforcement also relies heavily on reported information. Information provided by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection press release reported that as the vehicle traveled away from the river, agents responded to the area, and the suspect driver turned south stopping near the riverbank. The driver exited the vehicle and was observed swimming into Mexico. In the abandoned truck, agents discovered two nylon sacks containing 50 bricks of suspected narcotics. The weight of seized narcotics that included cocaine totaled 121 pounds with a street value over $3.8 million dollars
Following procedure for confiscated substances plays an integral part in federal drug law enforcement. The narcotics were turned over to Drug Enforcement Administration.
"Outstanding job by our Border Patrol agents working alongside our state partners to keep our communities safe from dangerous drugs," said Chief Patrol Agent Gloria I. Chavez in the media release.
The overall national seizure statistics underscore the scale of the issue. This year, customs agents across the country have seized 27,000 pounds of fentanyl, 140,000 pounds of methamphetamine, 81,100 pounds of cocaine, and 150,000 pounds of marijuana according to statistics information on Customs and Borders Protection’s website.
