In the past week, Laredo Sector Border Patrol Agents interdicted three narcotic smuggling attempts resulting in the seizure of over 1,600 pounds of marijuana in Laredo, Texas.
The first event took place on February 28, 2018, when Border Patrol agents seized 216.5 pounds of marijuana after responding to suspicious activity near Highway 83 in Laredo, Texas. Agents were able to recover three bundles of marijuana inside a Pontiac G6 sedan after the occupants bailed out of the vehicle and absconded back to Mexico. The marijuana had an estimated value of $173,200.00. No arrests were made in this case. The marijuana was turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the vehicle was seized by Border Patrol.
The second event took place later that night on February 28, 2018, when Border Patrol agents seized 1,153.23 pounds of marijuana in Laredo, Texas. Agents at the Border Patrol Checkpoint on Interstate Highway 35 encountered a red tractor pulling a silver tanker trailer at the primary lane. The driver was questioned regarding his immigration status and was referred to secondary for further inspection. A further search of the tanker resulted in the seizure of 50 bundles of marijuana. The marijuana was estimated to have a value of $920,656.00. The driver, a United States Citizen, was arrested. The driver, marijuana and vehicle were turned over to the DEA.
The third event occurred on March 3, 2018, when Border Patrol agents seized 297.8 pounds of marijuana after responding to suspicious activity near Anna Avenue in Laredo, Texas. Agents were able to recover four bundles of marijuana inside a Ford Escape after the driver bailed out and absconded from the scene. The marijuana had an estimated value of $238,240.00. No arrests were made in this case. The marijuana was turned over to the DEA.