More than a ton of marijuana seized in Starr County

RIO GRANDE CITY / ROMA — U.S. Border Patrol agents seized more than a ton of marijuana here over a two-day period.

On Monday, authorities tried pulling over the driver of a white 2000 Ford Expedition for speeding just north of the Rio Grande.

Agents followed the truck to a convenience store in Rio Grande City where the driver jumped out of the vehicle and fled. They found 1,353 pounds of marijuana inside the abandoned vehicle.

The next day, agents saw several males carrying bundles of marijuana west of the Rio Grande City-Camargo International Bridge.

The group left the load and fled south into Mexico when they spotted the agents.

The drugs weighed 244 pounds.

Also that day, agents working west of the Roma-Miguel Alemán International Bridge chased after seven people carrying a load of narcotics on their backs.

When the agents identified themselves, the smugglers dropped their cargo and ran into the brush. Agents seized seven large bundles of marijuana weighing a total of 468 pounds.

Combined, the seizures netted 2,065 pounds of marijuana with an estimated street value of more than $1.6 million.

No arrests were made.

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Ana Ley covers law enforcement and general assignments for The Monitor. She can be reached at (956) 683-4428.