More than 1,000 pounds of narcotics seized by Del Rio Sector Border Patrol agents

U.S. Border Patrol agents stationed in the Del Rio Sector recently seized more than 1,000 pounds of illicit narcotics over a series of eight separate incidents.

The total street value of the confiscated drugs was approximately $990,000.

The first incident occurred on Nov. 18, when agents with the Eagle Pass South Border Patrol (EPSBP) discovered six military-style duffel bags filled with approximately 330 pounds of marijuana. Five subjects were arrested in connection to the smuggling attempt.

Five days later, Brackettsville Border Patrol (BBP) agents disrupted a smuggling attempt of more than 340 pounds of marijuana. The suspects, however, fled back to Mexico before they could be apprehended.

On Nov. 24, EPSBP agents were alerted by a narcotics-detecting canine unit to a vehicle that contained 69 bricks of marijuana that weighed more than 168 pounds. The agents also discovered a bundle of cocaine that weighed approximately 0.6 ounces. On Dec. 1, the same unit discovered an abandoned military style duffel bag while conducting linewatch duty. The bag contained approximately 44 pounds of marijuana.

Agents at the Del Rio Border Patrol Station encountered an abandoned shipment of sugar sacks on Dec. 11, that contained five bricks of marijuana, which weighed more than 80 pounds.

EPSBP agents discovered approximately 299 grams of cocaine on Dec. 22, while conducting checkpoint operations. The following day, the unit discovered nine vacuum-sealed packages of methamphetamine weighing approximately 3.1 kilograms.

BBP agents made a vehicle stop on Dec. 28, which resulted in the discovery of more than 30 pounds of marijuana. The suspect was released into the custody of Homeland Security Investigations.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of the nation’s borders at and between the official ports of entry.