Border Patrol Agents Seize Over 1,000 Lbs Of Narcotics Over The Weekend

FABENS, Tx. – Customs & Border Protectionagents in Texas and New Mexico made four significant drug seizures of marijuana this past weekend totaling over 1,000 pounds and valued at $813,960.

The largest seizure involved 433 pounds of marijuana in the Fabens area. On Friday night, Border Patrol Agents spotted a suspicious vehicle near the U.S./Mexico border, four miles west of the Fabens Port of Entry. The vehicle, a 1998 Ford Crown Victoria, was left unattended in an area known for illegal entries and human smuggling.

The agents conducted a brief investigation of the vehicle and noticed several burlap bundles inside. A Border Patrol canine unit was called to assist. The canine conducted an exterior sniff of the vehicle and immediately alerted to the presence of narcotics. A search of the vehicle revealed a green duffel bag and four burlap sacks containing the contraband.

The value of the 433 pounds of marijuana is $346,560. The narcotics and vehicle were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) pending further investigation.

On July 27, 2007 at 11:45 a.m., Border Patrol Agents encountered a 1995 Dodge Dakota, with Mexican license plates and four passengers, at the Las Cruces Traffic Checkpoint on Highway 185. After a brief inspection, the agents detected inconsistencies in the occupants’ stories. A Border Patrol canine performed an exterior sniff of the vehicle which produced an alert to the presence of narcotics.

A search yielded 57 bundles wrapped in brown wrapping tape concealed in an after market compartment in the rear of the cab. The 103 pounds of marijuana, the vehicle and four Mexican citizens were turned over to the New Mexico Narcotics Task Force.

In a separate incident on Saturday night, Border Patrol Agents in Santa Teresa, N.M. located 356 pounds of marijuana after agents followed footprints and other signs through the desert on a dirt road paralleling the U.S./Mexico border. The agents found several footprints that led from Mexico into the U.S.

The agents conducted an immediate search of the area and saw numerous subjects running south into Mexico away from the approaching agents. A search of the area revealed a foiled drug smuggling attempt and seven large bundles of marijuana. The value of the load is estimated at $285,344. The narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for further investigation.

On Sunday July 29, 2007 at 10:20 a.m., Border Patrol agents were conducting line watch operations seven miles east of the Ysleta Port of Entry. Agents observed the subjects making an illegal entry into the U.S. Some of the men were seen carrying large burlap sacks on their backs. Burlap sacks are commonly used to smuggle narcotics into the U.S. from Mexico.

Agents called for additional Border Patrol assistance and saturated the area. The smugglers dropped their loads of contraband and absconded back into Mexico, leaving behind three marijuana sacks. A total of 124 pounds of marijuana were recovered, valued at $99,000. The narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for further investigation.

To date for fiscal year 2007 (through June 30), Border Patrol agents in Texas and New Mexico have seized approximately $93 million in illegal drugs.