Drug chase ends in Edinburg orchard

EDINBURG — Drug investigators arrested one man after a brief chase led to a citrus orchard late Wednesday afternoon.

Investigators with the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area task force got a tip about a light blue Mercury Grand Marquis possibly carrying marijuana bundles about 5 p.m. Wednesday near Trenton and Jackson roads in Edinburg, said HIDTA Cmdr. Dora L. Muñoz.

HIDTA investigators and other local authorities caught up with the car at the intersection of Alberta and Jackson roads minutes later.

A brief chase ensued, ending after the Grand Marquis got stuck between rows of orange trees in an orchard across the road from the Tex-Mex Lounge Gentleman’s Club at the intersection of Owassa and Jackson roads.

Authorities arrested one man believed to be in his 20s shortly after the chase ended. A second man clad in a white T-shirt and shorts fled into the orchard on foot. Authorities continued to look for him after sunset.

Investigators popped open the trunk and found more than a dozen large bundles of marijuana stashed inside. Muñoz reckoned the drugs weighed 400-500 pounds.

The suspect is expected to be charged with felony possession of marijuana at an arraignment hearing Thursday.

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Jared Taylor covers law enforcement and general assignments for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4439.