Tagged News

• Cameron County authorities to crackdown on THC cartridges during spring break Play Video

  March 2, 2020 10:38 PM

  SOUTH PADRE ISLAND – South Padre Island is getting ready for spring break. Luis Saenz, Cameron County district attorney, says authorities busted many spring breakers with THC oil last year. Officials will now target this heavily used drug. THC is one of the main chemicals in marijuana that... more »

• Drug Bust in Elsa Lands 2 Men, Juvenile Behind Bars Play Video

  January 19, 2020 11:10 PM

  ELSA - A drug bust landed two men and a juvenile in handcuffs. Joshua De Leon, 26, of Elsa and Daniel Davila, 17, of Elsa are facing charges. A 16-year-old was also arrested and taken to Juvenile detention. The bust happened Jan. 17 after officers executed a... more »

• Several Flee after Border Agents Intercept Smuggling Attempt in Rio Grande City

  January 7, 2020 4:55 PM

  RIO GRANDE CITY – Border Patrol agents seized more than 320 pounds of narcotics Monday in Rio Grande City. Agents intercepted the smuggling attempt after an aerostat spotted “several” people near the border loading a SUV with bundles. When agents stopped the vehicle, the people inside fled. ... more »

• Border Patrol Seizes More Than 300 Pounds of Narcotics Play Video

  December 30, 2019 5:20 PM

  WESLACO – Border Patrol agents were busy over the holiday seizing more than 300 pounds of narcotics in three days. Bundles of marijuana were left behind by smugglers. Agent Dustin Araujo explained it’s not uncommon drug loads are left abandoned, sometimes in neighborhoods. “So in a couple... more »

• 31-Year-Old Identified as Alleged Driver in Christmas Eve Car Chase Ending in Mercedes Play Video

  December 27, 2019 11:40 AM

  WESLACO – The Department of Public Safety released the identity of the driver who led law enforcement on a car chase Christmas Eve . DPS says they tried to pull 31-year-old Juan Trevino, Jr. over on FM 491 in Cameron County. The chase ended in Mercedes near a sugarcane... more »

• Two Arrested in Connection to Drug and Cash Seizure Play Video

  November 24, 2019 6:29 PM

  EDINBURG - Two people are facing charges in Edinburg. Edinburg police arrested the pair Saturday. Officers seized nearly $16,000 in cash along with 2 kilograms of edible THC and 2 pounds of marijuana. No other information was released about the two people arrested or... more »

• Weed Candy Bust Prompts Warning to Valley Parents Ahead of Halloween Play Video

  October 21, 2019 6:03 PM

  EDINBURG – A so-called weed candy bust is prompting a warning from Edinburg police for parents to stay vigilant this Halloween. An executed search warrant by police, a special crimes unit and SWAT led to over a pound of marijuana and two kilos of edibles, or weed candy, being... more »

• Ongoing Drug Investigations Lead to Two Arrests in Hidalgo County Play Video

  September 7, 2019 8:30 PM

  ELSA- Two men were arrested in connection to two separate drug busts in Hidalgo County. On Thursday, Elsa police arrested Manuel Guerrero after executing a warrant at a home on Crenshaw Avenue in Edcouch. Inside the home, they found cocaine, marijuana, cash, scales, packaging material and a handgun.... more »

• New ‘Cite and Release’ System in Consideration for Small Marijuana Offenses in the Valley Play Video

  August 23, 2019 8:05 PM

  BROWNSVILLE – It’s called “cite and release”. The Department of Public Safety has ordered troopers around the state to issue citations for small marijuana offenses. Individuals won’t be arrested, but their cases will still be prosecuted. Local municipalities are considering the cite and release system too. ... more »

• Nearly 50 Pounds of Synthetic Marijuana Seized in Mission Play Video

  August 20, 2019 11:11 PM

  MISSION – Three people are behind bars after Hidalgo County sheriff's deputies seized nearly 50 pounds of synthetic marijuana. Authorities say they found more than 1,300 pre-packaged envelopes of the drug at the Tiwana Country Store and a house in Mission. They also seized two guns and 130,000... more »

• Hidalgo Co. District Attorney Vows to Prosecute Marijuana Cases Play Video

  August 13, 2019 6:09 PM

  EDINBURG - The Hidalgo County District Attorney's Office is making changes after a new addition to the state's drug laws. They say they will still prosecute marijuana violations. It all started with the legalization of CBD products. They can contain small amounts of the main substance in... more »

• Gulf Cartel Leader 'El Diablo' Arrested in Cameron County Play Video

  July 22, 2019 11:38 AM

  LA PALOMA – A Gulf Cartel leader was caught in the Rio Grande Valley and now faces federal drug charges. He's known as "El Diablo", but his legal name is Rene Garcia-Cantu. According to the criminal complaint, Border Patrol agents found a trail of footsteps leading to him... more »

• Two Men Charged in Starr County Drug Raid Play Video

  May 12, 2019 4:46 PM

  RIO GRANDE CITY- Two men are facing drug charges in connection to a raid in Starr County. It happened Friday on Elizabeth Street. Authorities seized marijuana and several THC vaping cartridges at the scene. They say the drugs were bought in California, then brought down to the... more »

• ‘Not Guilty’ Plea in Drug Smuggling Case Involving Baby Play Video

  May 10, 2019 5:22 PM

  BROWNSVILLE – A mother and daughter pleaded not guilty in a drug smuggling case involving a baby . The baby was strapped in the car seat of a vehicle where the drugs were allegedly found. The child’s mother and grandmother are accused of trying to smuggle nearly 300... more »

• Alamo Police Seize THC Cartridges Play Video

  May 9, 2019 5:36 PM

  ALAMO – It’s a first for the Alamo Police Department: THC packed in cartridges. THC is the main active ingredient in marijuana. The suspect told officers it came from California. Public Information Officer Juan Meza says the Alamo Special Crimes investigators found the cartridges during a search... more »

• Border Patrol Chase Lands 2 Accused Drug Smugglers in Jail Play Video

  April 3, 2019 5:17 PM

  BROWNSVILLE – Two accused drug smugglers are in custody following a car chase involving Border Patrol. The driver crashed into a Palm Tree near the Brownsville mall Wednesday afternoon. A U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesperson says the driver led Border Patrol agents on a chase after they... more »

• Harlingen Man Awaiting Arraignment Following Arrest in Combes Play Video

  March 10, 2019 3:45 PM

  COMBES- A Harlingen man is awaiting arraignment following his arrest Saturday night in Combes. Police say they smelled marijuana when they pulled the 20-year-old over for a traffic stop on New Combes Highway. The man became nervous and fled on foot from police, but was eventually caught. ... more »

• Police Dept. Making Changes in Response to DA's Decision to Deny Drug Cases from Chief Play Video

  March 7, 2019 6:37 PM

  UPDATE (3/8): The Santa Rosa Mayor says neither he, nor two other alderman voted to keep the police chief in power. The mayor adds that only three of the alderman signed the letter to the district attorney informing him of the in-house changes in hopes of assistance on cases... more »

• Border Patrol Agents Seize Nearly $700K Worth of Marijuana within Days

  February 28, 2019 5:26 PM

  NEAR RIO GRANDE CITY – Within a few days, Border Patrol seized nearly $685,000 worth of marijuana in six separate narcotic smuggling attempts. On Wednesday, agents working near La Rosita seized three bundles of marijuana worth an estimated $218,000. On Thursday morning, agents near La Casita observed several... more »

• CBP Seizes Nearly $600K Worth of Alleged Marijuana Within 3 Days

  February 26, 2019 11:28 AM

  PHARR – U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized more than $587,000 worth of marijuana in two separate incidents this past week. CBP officers at the Pharr International Bridge found 343 packages of alleged marijuana hidden within a trailer on Feb. 19. A commercial shipment of fresh avocados arrived... more »

• Missing Marijuana Creates Rift Between DA and Local Police Dept. Play Video

  February 13, 2019 5:07 PM

  SANTA ROSA – A district attorney is putting his foot down after marijuana went missing from the Santa Rosa Police Department. The Cameron County District Attorney sent a letter to the mayor’s office which states an audit of the department’s evidence locker was completed in 2015. In the... more »

• 2 Men Arrested for Smuggling Drugs into RGV

  December 31, 2018 3:57 PM

  LA JOYA – Two men say they were forced to carry drugs into the Rio Grande Valley over the weekend. According to court documents, they were spotted in a group of seven crossing the border in La Joya early Saturday morning. They carried 10 bundles (103 kilograms) of... more »

• CBP Seizes More than $460K of Marijuana Found Inside Watermelon Cargo

  August 11, 2017 12:50 PM

  PHARR – Authorities seized more than 2,000 pounds of marijuana hidden inside a watermelon cargo at the Pharr International Bridge. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers referred a white 1996 Freightliner tractor trailer for further inspection on Wednesday. A K9 officer assisted in the discovery of 65 packages of marijuana... more »

• Valley Mother Continues to Push for Medical Cannabis Legislation

  July 21, 2017 10:22 PM

  MCALLEN - A Rio Grande Valley mother is pleading Gov. Greg Abbott to add medical marijuana to the ongoing special session agenda . A house bill was filed in Austin that would legalize medical cannabis in Texas . But families and lawmakers said it can't pass without the governor's support.... more »

• Mexican Military Helps Border Patrol in Drug Bust Play Video

  March 4, 2017 5:16 PM

  SANTA MARIA - Nearly 600 pounds of marijuana were seized by Border Patrol agents on Friday. The agents were patrolling the river near Santa Maria when they discovered nine people preparing to cross the Rio Grande. Each person was reportedly carrying a bundle of marijuana. Air and Marine Operations sent... more »

• Suspect in Border Patrol Collision Admits to Picking Up Drugs Play Video

  December 30, 2016 3:48 PM

  PROGRESO – A 20-year-old Mercedes man who crashed into a Border Patrol unit on Thursday was identified by authorities. Ricardo Epifanio Rico was taken into custody after the collision. According to a U.S. Federal Criminal Complaint, the incident started around 2:00 p.m. A Border Patrol agent saw a raft crossing... more »