South Texas border crossings saw a busy stretch of enforcement and rescue activity over the past week, with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Border Patrol reporting a mixed narcotics seizure in Del Rio, a massive methamphetamine bust in Pharr, another rail car rescue near Knippa, and a water rescue in the Rio Grande, according to a series of agency releases.
Del Rio: Mixed Narcotics Load Worth More Than $550,000
CBP officers at the Del Rio Port of Entry seized methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl valued at more than $550,000, hidden inside a passenger vehicle, according to the agency. The seizure happened Sept. 3 at the Del Rio International Bridge, when officers referred a 2005 Chrysler Town and Country, driven by a 28-year-old U.S. citizen, for secondary inspection. A nonintrusive inspection system and canine examination led officers to packages containing 4.45 pounds of alleged methamphetamine, 8.81 pounds of alleged heroin, and 12.69 pounds of alleged fentanyl concealed inside the vehicle, with a combined estimated street value of $557,589.
Del Rio Port Director Liliana Flores said stopping hard narcotics before they enter the country actively saves lives and dismantles the operations of criminal organizations. CBP seized the narcotics, and Homeland Security Investigations special agents have made one arrest and opened a criminal investigation.
Pharr: $25 Million in Meth Hidden in Produce Shipment
CBP officers at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility intercepted $25,167,000 worth of alleged methamphetamine concealed in a shipment manifested as cabbage, tomatillo, and cilantro, according to the agency. The bust happened Sept. 8, when officers encountered a tractor-trailer traveling from Reynosa, Mexico. A nonintrusive scan and canine screening during secondary inspection led to a physical search that turned up 1,164 packages of alleged methamphetamine weighing a combined 2,815.30 pounds.
Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, of the Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry, said the seizure reflects the continued skill and expertise of CBP officers in taking down massive shipments of illicit narcotics. CBP seized both the narcotics and the vehicle, and Homeland Security Investigations agents have opened a criminal investigation.
Knippa: Third Rail Car Rescue in Recent Weeks
For the second time in recent weeks, Del Rio Sector Border Patrol agents rescued individuals locked inside a freight car by smugglers, according to the agency. On the afternoon of Sept. 7, agents from the Uvalde Border Patrol Station were inspecting a stationary freight train on a rail siding near Knippa when a Border Patrol canine alerted to an autorack car carrying automobiles. Agents found three individuals, one Mexican national, one Nicaraguan, and one Honduran, locked inside with no way to free themselves, concealed in the beds of pickup trucks within the rail car. All three were transported to the Uvalde Station for processing.
The incident follows an Aug. 30 rescue at the same rail siding, when agents freed a group of eight from a locked autorack car. Del Rio Sector Chief Patrol Agent Anthony “Scott” Good said attempts to enter the country illegally via trains have historically had tragic results, and noted this marks the second time in two weeks agents have rescued smuggled individuals locked inside a rail car at this specific location. Good urged anyone considering the attempt to understand that the decision could end in disaster.
Laredo: Marine Unit Pulls Man From Rio Grande
Laredo Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Laredo Sector Marine Unit rescued a man from the Rio Grande on Aug. 29 after he was seen struggling to stay afloat and repeatedly submerging during an attempted illegal crossing, according to the agency. At 7:30 a.m., agents from the Laredo South Station observed the man in distress, going underwater for several seconds on multiple occasions and appearing unable to safely stay above the surface. Marine Unit agents responded aboard a Border Patrol vessel, reached him, and pulled him from the water. On-duty emergency medical technicians evaluated him following the rescue.
The rescue occurred after Marine Unit agents encountered multiple people attempting to enter the country illegally at that location. Six individuals, including the man who was rescued, were taken into custody and processed according to applicable law and policy.
Laredo Sector Chief Patrol Agent Desi De Leon said the rescue serves as a reminder of how dangerous the Rio Grande can be, and how quickly an attempted crossing can turn into a life-threatening emergency. De Leon said agents have a duty to enforce the law and secure the border, but also carry a responsibility to protect human life, and act quickly when someone is in distress.
According to Border Patrol, the Rio Grande remains one of the most dangerous crossing areas along the Southwest border, with strong currents, shifting depths, fatigue, and changing conditions capable of overwhelming a person within seconds, even in areas that appear calm from the surface. The agency said transnational criminal organizations and human smugglers routinely exploit vulnerable people by encouraging dangerous crossings while downplaying the risks involved, profiting from desperation with little regard for migrants’ safety. Border Patrol is urging individuals not to risk their lives attempting to cross the river, emphasizing that smugglers cannot guarantee safe passage.
