Texas Border: Multi-Million Dollar Drug Busts in November as Feds Stay Busy
Smugglers are having a bad time on International Bridges and along the Rio Grande.
Federal authorities have prevented millions of dollars of drugs from hitting the streets in a series of busts along the Texas - Mexico border this month.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Hidalgo International Bridge intercepted $1.4 million in alleged cocaine and 1,070 rounds of ammunition, six magazines, and 21 weapons components in three separate seizures over three days.
On November 15, 2024, CBP Officers found 12 packages of cocaine weighing 27.78 pounds hidden inside an SUV crossing into Texas from Reynosa, Mexico. The cocaine has an estimated street value of $370,893.
Hours later, CBP officers inspecting southbound vehicles headed toward Mexico decided to take a closer look at a pick-up truck. Officers found four handguns, 1,070 rounds of ammunition in various calibers, six weapon magazines for numerous rifle brands and calibers, and 21 weapon components (all likely intended to arm one of the cartels).
Two days later, CBP Officers on the same bridge intercepted a big drug load hidden inside yet another SUV entering Texas from Mexico. They found 30 packages of cocaine weighing 77.34 pounds worth an estimated street value of $1,032,614.
Days earlier, CBP officers at the Brownsville Port of Entry made two drug busts with a combined street value of $768,867.
The first seizure occurred on Tuesday, Nov. 12, at the Gateway International Bridge when nine packages were found hidden within a vehicle driven by a 37-year-old Brownsville man arriving in Texas from Mexico. Inside those packages, CBP officers found 21.95 pounds of cocaine. Street value: $293,182.
The second seizure took place on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge as CBP Officers examined a Hummer arriving from Mexico driven by a Baytown, Texas man. They found 15 packages hidden within the vehicle containing 35.62 pounds of cocaine. Street value: $475,685.
On November 11, 2024, federal officers on the Progreso International Bridge discovered 14 packages containing 35 pounds of cocaine within a northbound vehicle. Street value: $468,302.
Texas Border Patrol Agents have also seized hundreds of pounds of marijuana bales in recent days.
In West Texas, Sierra Blanca Border Patrol Agents on a training mission found several bales of marijuana that appeared to have been abandoned by smugglers in the desert. The pot weighed more than 175 pounds. Street value: $140,000.
Days earlier, Laredo Sector Border Patrol Agents interrupted a smuggling operation along the Rio Grande. The smugglers dropped several bales of marijuana and high-tailed it back to Mexico. The pot weighed in at more than 160 pounds. Street value: More than $129,000.
That scene was repeated a week later on the banks of the Rio Grande near Brownsville. Border Patrol Agents seized several bales of marijuana weighing in at more than 144 pounds with a street value just a little below the Laredo seizure.
As you can see, November has been a busy month for Federal Agents all along the Texas - Mexico border.
How much of a dent do you believe these busts made of the Texas - Mexico drug trade?
Share your opinion in the comments on this article!
Abrazos,
Jack Beavers
