In a series of incidents within the Rio Grande Valley Sector of the Border Patrol, agents successfully confiscated approximately 560 pounds of cocaine with an estimated street value of $18 million. These seizures took place in three separate events, two of which occurred at a fixed highway checkpoint during routine immigration inspections. The third seizure was a result of a roving patrol stop conducted by Border Patrol agents. Notably, all three seizures were reported within a few hours of each other on a Sunday morning.
On Sunday, a seizure took place at the Javier Vega, Jr. Immigration Checkpoint near Sarita, Texas. During inspection duties, agents were alerted by a K-9 to the scent of narcotics, leading to the discovery of 287 pounds of cocaine hidden in a vehicle. The street value of the cocaine is estimated to be over $9 million. The individuals involved in the incident, whose identities remain undisclosed, are now facing federal charges of possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance and conspiracy.
The Border Patrol swiftly reported yet another seizure at the same checkpoint mere hours later. This time, agents utilized non-intrusive inspection technology to uncover over 163 pounds of cocaine hidden within a vehicle attempting to pass through the checkpoint. The street value of this substantial amount of cocaine was estimated to be over $5 million. The occupants of the vehicle now find themselves facing federal charges of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and conspiracy, as determined by the Border Patrol.
Border Patrol agents in Kingsville, Texas, made a significant drug bust after receiving intelligence information. Acting swiftly, they conducted a traffic stop on a highway away from the border, leading to the seizure of over 111 pounds of cocaine. The street value of the confiscated drugs amounts to a staggering $3.5 million. The suspects involved in this case will be prosecuted on federal charges of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and conspiracy.
Following the declaration by the Trump administration of several major Mexican drug cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO), there have been notable seizures. The U.S. Department of State designated six Mexican drug cartels, along with the Mara Salvatrucha gang of El Salvador and the violent Venezuelan Tren De Aragua gang, as Foreign Terrorist Organizations on February 19, as reported by Breitbart Texas.
The Gulf Cartel, designated as one of the six Mexican cartels, exerts significant control over the region in Mexico located just south of the Texas Rio Grande Valley.
