LAREDO, Texas – Within three days, between January 26, 2018 to January 28, 2018, Border Patrol agents interdicted five narcotic smuggling attempts with over 2,200 pounds of marijuana in Laredo and Zapata, Texas.
The first event took place on January 26, 2018, when Border Patrol agents seized 122.1 pounds of marijuana after responding to a report of abandoned marijuana inside a Freightliner tractor. The agents were able to recover multiple bundles of marijuana which had an estimated value of $97,680.00. No arrests were made in this case. The marijuana was turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration and Border Patrol seized the tractor.
The second event took place on January 27, 2018, when Border Patrol agents seized 295.20 pounds of marijuana after responding to a suspicious vehicle near Mines Road in Laredo, Texas. As agents approached the vehicle the driver bailed-out and absconded, but he was later arrested. Border Patrol agents discovered four bundles of marijuana which had an estimated value of $235,644.00. The driver, marijuana and vehicle were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The third event also took place on January 27, 2018, after Border Patrol agents seized 705.26 pounds of marijuana after responding to a report of multiple bundles floating in Falcon Lake near Zapata, Texas. Agents arrived on scene and were able to recover 17 bundles of marijuana which had an estimated value of $564,208.00. No arrests were made in this case and the marijuana was turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The fourth event also took place on January 27, 2018, after Border Patrol agents seized 211.8 pounds of marijuana after responding to suspicious activity near the Laredo Community College in Laredo, Texas. Agents arrived on scene and attempted to pull over a blue Mercury Montego; however the driver bailed out and absconded. Border Patrol agents discovered three bundles of marijuana inside the vehicle which had an estimated value of $169,440.00. No arrests were made in this case. The marijuana and vehicle were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The last event took place on January 28, 2018, when Border Patrol agents seized 1,342.39 pounds of marijuana in Laredo, Texas. Agents at the Border Patrol Checkpoint on Interstate Highway 35 encountered a white Ford F-350 at the primary lane. The driver was questioned regarding his immigration status and referred to secondary after a Border Patrol canine alerted to the presence of concealed humans and/or narcotics. A further search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of 28 bundles of marijuana. The marijuana was estimated to have a value of $1,073,600.00. The driver, a United States Citizen, was arrested. The driver, marijuana and vehicle were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
To report suspicious activity such as alien and/or drug smuggling, contact the Laredo Sector Border Patrol toll free telephone number at 1-800-343-1994.
credit:cbp.gov
