Border Patrol: More than 15,500 pounds of marijuana seized in 5 days

EDINBURG — U.S. Border Patrol reported the seizure of more than 15,500 pounds of marijuana over a five-day period, according to an agency news release.

The largest seizure took place Friday at a ranch north of Roma when Border Patrol agents — along with Starr County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area investigators — found an underground, man-made bunker that contained 2,400 pounds of marijuana.

The drugs were turned over to the HIDTA task force for investigation.

Another seizure took place Monday near Escobares when authorities spotted several men loading bundles into a truck near the Rio Grande. When Border Patrol agents moved in, the smugglers left 800 pounds of marijuana behind and fled into Mexico.

Additional seizures throughout the area brought the five-day total to more than 15,500 pounds, the release said.

--

Monitor staff writer Ildefonso Ortiz compiled this report.