[November 27, 2009] Border Patrol, Texas Authorities Recover 1,227 Pounds of Marijuana Nov 27, 2009 (DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY DOCUMENTS AND PUBLICATIONS/ContentWorks via COMTEX) -- (Wednesday, November 25, 2009) Edinburg, Texas - The U.S. Border Patrol and the Texas Department of Public Safety recovered 25 bundles of marijuana near La Joya, Texas Tuesday. The 1,227 pounds of marijuana were found inside an older model Mercury Grand Marquis that had been submerged in the Rio Grande since mid-October after smugglers plunged the vehicle into the river during a high-speed chase. The marijuana has a value of $981,600. Border Patrol agents and Texas authorities removed this car from the Rio Grande River and seized almost $1 million worth of marijuana. The Border Patrol, Texas DPS and local law enforcement agencies have targeted specific areas where smuggling organizations have historically driven narcotic laden vehicles into the Rio Grande. Smugglers often use this tactic not only to avoid apprehension, but also in an effort to salvage as much of their contraband as possible. In July, a multi-agency recovery effort was initiated to locate and extract vehicles and their contents from the Rio Grande in order to minimize long-term impact on the environment. On October 28, boulders were placed at a cable crossing south of Anzalduas Park in Mission, Texas, creating a natural barrier and obstructing a route frequently used by smugglers to retreat back to the Rio Grande River. Due to the overwhelming success of the project at Anzalduas Park; this strategy is being considered at other locations. The Drug Enforcement Administration assumed custody of the narcotics found Tuesday. To report suspicious activity, contact the Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol Sector's toll-free telephone number at 1-800-863-9382. Rio Grande Sector, CBP Public Affairs, Phone: (956) 289-4934 or, (956) 289-4845 or, (956) 289-4998 or, (956) 289-4848 CBP Headquarters, Office of Public Affairs, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Room 3.4A, Washington, DC 20229 Phone:(202) 344-1780 or, (800) 826-1471Fax:(202) 344-1393 [ Back To the Online Project Management Community's Homepage ]