400 pounds of marijuana seized from smugglers in Van Horn by Border Patrol agents

VAN HORN, Texas -- Four hundred pounds of marijuana being hauled into the U.S. for the New Year was seized by U.S. Border Patrol agents in Van Horn, officials said Friday.

Agents acting on a tip about a half-dozen people who appeared to have entered illegally from Mexico discovered the drugs in the early morning hours of New Year's day.

Authorities said the agents were searching the area with dogs when they came across six people who quickly fled but left burlap sacks behind that contained the large cache of pot.

"The contents of the backpacks tested positive for marijuana and had a combined weight of approximately 400 pounds," Customs and Border Protection officials said in a statement.

The Drug Enforcement Administration took custody of the marijuana, but the group of drug smugglers has yet to be found.