$435K in marijuana seized in separate incidents in Valley

Border Patrol agents in the Rio Grande Valley seized more than 543 pounds of marijuana in two separate incidents, with amounts estimated to exceed $435,000 in worth, according to an agency news release.

On Thursday, agents working in Garceno observed several individuals loading large bundles into a sedan near the Rio Grande and then fled into Mexico, abandoning the vehicle once they were detected.

Agents seized five bundles of marijuana which weighed approximately 461 pounds and were valued at over $369,000, the release stated.

Later Thursday night, Rio Grande City Border Patrol agents working near Escobares discovered shoe prints leading away from the Rio Grande.

The prints led the agents to seven abandoned bundles of marijuana with no subjects or any additional bundles in sight.

The seized bundles weighed more than 82 pounds and were valued at over $66,000.

All seized marijuana was transported to a Border Patrol station for processing.