Border Patrol makes half a dozen drug busts across Starr County

ESCOBARES | DRUG BUST

U.S. Border Patrol agents said they encountered two pickup trucks Tuesday night traveling north together from the Rio Grande near Escobares. As the agents tried to stop the pickups, the lead truck, a pewter Chevrolet, accelerated north. The black Ford F-150 that was tailing the truck made a U-turn, agents said.

Minutes later, agents found the F-150 abandoned behind a nearby business. The truck was filled with 923 pounds of marijuana. The Chevrolet pickup truck escaped. The drugs have a street value of $738,400.

LA CASITA | DRUG BUST

U.S. Border Patrol agents seized nearly a ton of marijuana during a Tuesday morning chase near La Casita, according to an agency statement.

Agents used a spike strip to stop a truck. The truck’s driver bailed out into the nearby brush and managed to evade agents, who found 1,849 pounds of marijuana with the pickup truck. The drugs have a street value of more than $1.4 million.

GARCENO | DRUG BUST

U.S. Border Patrol agents working here Monday morning said they saw several people carrying bundles on their backs. As the group emerged from the brush, they began loading the bundles into a green 1994 Ford F-150 pickup truck that arrived at the area.

The driver headed north toward U.S. Highway 83 but bailed out of the truck after agents tried to pull him over. The driver escaped into the nearby brush.

Agents counted 676 pounds of marijuana in the bed of the pickup truck. The drugs have a street value of $540,800.

RIO GRANDE CITY | DRUG BUST

U.S. Border Patrol agents patrolling south of Rio Grande City on Monday evening said they saw five people climb out of the Rio Grande with bundles strapped to their backs. The group continued north until agents confronted them. The smugglers dropped their packs and took off into the nearby brush, evading arrest.

Agents rounded up and seized the abandoned 388 pounds of marijuana. The drugs have a street value of $310,400.

FRONTON | DRUG BUST

U.S. Border Patrol agents found 489 pounds of marijuana here Sunday after they saw several people carrying bundles from the Rio Grande. Agents confronted the smugglers, who then dropped the drugs and swam across the river to Mexico. Agents said they also found a small aluminum boat loaded with marijuana. The drugs have a street value of $391,200.

LA GRULLA | DRUG BUST

U.S. Border Patrol agents seized 380 pounds of marijuana Saturday that was being transported from the general area of the Rio Grande. Agents conducting a traffic stop found the drugs inside the rear passenger seat area. The drugs have a street value of $304,000.