see also: in May 2006 News Releases:   Seven Wanted Fugitives Apprehended by CBP Officers at Andrade Port of Entry   U.S. Customs and Border Protection 2006 Reporting Requirements for Private Boat Operators Arriving at Port of Entry in Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana   CBP Officers in Calexico Seize More Drugs, 266 Pounds of Cocaine   CBP Border Patrol on Heightened State of Alert as Scorching Temperatures Hit South Texas   New Border Patrol Station Contract Awarded   CBP Border Patrol Agents Seize Hidden Loads of Narcotics   CBP Border Patrol Agents Seize More Than Half-Ton of Marijuana ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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Weslaco, Texas — U.S. Customs and Border Protection Border Patrol agents working near Pharr, Texas, seized 287 pounds of cocaine that was concealed in a Ford Expedition. The contraband has an estimated value of $9,196,800.

Yesterday at 3:30 p.m., agents assigned to the Weslaco Border Patrol Station observed three male subjects loading something into a sports utility vehicle that was parked close to the Rio Grande River. As agents approached the SUV the three men jump into the river and swam back to Mexico. The agents searched the abandoned SUV and discovered 287 pounds of cocaine. The contraband and the vehicle were turned over to the DEA for further investigation.

In fiscal year 2006, Rio Grande Valley Sector agents have intercepted a total of 1,488 pounds of cocaine valued at $47,616,000.

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.