In yet another reminder of the national security crisis unfolding at the southern border, Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents in Texas have seized more than $3.4 million worth of narcotics this past week alone.
In one of the most notable busts, agents at the Javier Vega Jr. checkpoint near Kingsville, Texas, intercepted over 72 pounds of cocaine, per the CBP, hidden in a ceiling compartment of a tractor-trailer driving into America.
Thanks to the nostrils of an on-site K-9 unit and the CBP’s high-tech scanning tools, the cocaine stash was uncovered at the international checkpoint. The driver, an American citizen, now faces prosecution on federal felony trafficking charges.
“This significant cocaine seizure underscores the unwavering commitment of our Border Patrol agents to disrupt the flow of dangerous narcotics into our country,” said Chief Patrol Agent Gloria I. Chavez.
Meanwhile, a separate Rio Grande Valley border operation uncovered another big batch of narcotics, and allegedly stopped several human smuggling attempts scheduled to come into Texas.
According to CBP reports, agents caught smugglers transporting illegal aliens from McAllen to Weslaco through back roads and a series of illegal stash houses. In total, authorities seized over 286 pounds of illegal drugs, including nearly 100 pounds of marijuana found abandoned near the Rio Grande Valley checkpoint, a “dump-off” strategy which is a common tactic used by cartels to avoid detection when things go awry.
Border Patrol agents are dealing with a large spectrum of challenges daily, not just the seemingly common cocaine, fentanyl, or meth busts. For example, in Brownsville, Texas, a Border Patrol EMT agent provided emergency medical care to a 4-year-old girl injured in a car accident within the area, stabilizing her before she was flown to a Houston trauma center for treatment.
“These actions demonstrate the grit and commitment of our Border Patrol agents who conduct their duties with the utmost professionalism and dedication to border security. I am extremely proud of their actions every day,” Chavez added when asked about the recent RGV checkpoint arrests.
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