Border Patrol seizes 577 pounds of marijuana from ATV

RIO GRANDE CITY — U.S. Border Patrol agents seized 577 pounds of marijuana Thursday night after spotting a man driving an all-terrain vehicle with bundles of the drug strapped to it, authorities said.

Agents spotted the ATV near La Casita traveling south toward the Rio Grande without its headlights on. They began pursuing the vehicle as it headed north with bundles of marijuana strapped to its front and rear cargo areas.

The driver bailed from the vehicle and fled into the surrounding brush, abandoning the 25 bundles of marijuana. The drugs have an estimated street value of about $461,000.

The driver avoided capture and authorities are still investigating.

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Nick Pipitone covers McAllen, PSJA, the Mid-Valley and general assignments for The Monitor. He can be reached at (956) 683-4446.