see also: in December 2008:   CBP Lists Top 10 Enforcement Events of 2008   CBP Seizes $200K in Undeclared Currency; Arrest 1 at Texas Port   Marfa Sector Agents Apprehend Murder Suspect   San Ysidro Port Modernization Deployment Temporarily Reduces Lanes   Border Patrol Agents Assist in Locating Distressed Individual   CBP Officers Stop Man at Michigan Border Crossing Wanted for Aggravated Sexual Assault   Holiday Surprise; CBP Unwraps 312 Pounds of Khat in December ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

contacts for this news release

Rio Grande City, Texas - Border Patrol agents assigned to the Rio Grande City, Texas station seized more than 4,700 pounds of marijuana in four separate encounters during a 24-hour period Monday into Tuesday. The largest seizure, more than 3,300 pounds, occurred yesterday shortly before dawn.

Agents conducting line watch operations near the Rio Grande River observed individuals cross the river in several rafts containing large bundles. The individuals then loaded the bundles into a Red 2000 Chevrolet Blazer. As the agents approached, the men absconded into Mexico. A search of the SUV revealed 36 bundles of marijuana for a combined weight of 821 pounds. A thorough search of the surrounding area for the driver was unsuccessful.

The second seizure also occurred yesterday when agents observed a white 1999 Chevrolet cargo van parked at a convenience store in Garceño, Texas. Agents observed the driver of the van behaving very suspiciously, and attempted to conduct a roving patrol stop of the van as it left the store. The driver then stopped the van and absconded into a nearby wooded area. Agents searched for the driver, to no avail. A search of the van yielded over 3,379 pounds of marijuana located in the cargo area.

The third seizure yesterday occurred when agents conducting line watch operations observed several individuals crossing the river from Mexico with two tires. The individuals quickly returned to Mexico after a grey Mercury Marquis arrived in the area. The driver loaded the two tires into the vehicle. The vehicle was encountered on U.S. Highway 83 traveling east, coming to a stop at the convenience store located at the corner of U.S. 83 and F.M. 650 (Fronton Road). The driver absconded into the adjacent neighborhood and could not be located. A total of 62 pounds of marijuana was cut out of the tires.

The final seizure occurred yesterday at approximately 8 p.m., while agents were conducting patrol near the Rio Grande River. The agents encountered an individual on an All-Terrain Vehicle loaded with bundles of marijuana. The operator of the ATV fled the scene and absconded into Mexico. The ATV was loaded with 507 pounds of Marijuana.

The four seizures produced over 4,700 pounds of marijuana with an estimated street value of $3,760,000.00. The four conveyances were seized and all of the marijuana was turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration

To report suspicious activity, contact the Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol Sectors’ toll free telephone number at 1-800-863-9382.

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 our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.