Posted: Jun 10, 2020 / 04:14 PM CDT / Updated: Jun 10, 2020 / 04:14 PM CDT

EDINBURG – Since Monday, Border Patrol agents foiled six drug smuggling attempts resulting in the seizure of more than 400 pounds of marijuana, and the arrest of five drug smugglers, said the agency in a press release.

Fort Brown agents working in Brownsville on Monday night observed two smugglers walking north from the Rio Grande towards the levee. As the agents attempted to arrest them, the smugglers abandoned the marijuana bundles and swam back to Mexico. Agents seized nearly 50 pounds of marijuana, worth more than $39,000.

Minutes later, agents observed another smuggler walking north with a bundle on his back. When agents responded to the area, the smuggler dropped the marijuana bundle and swam back to Mexico. The marijuana weighed over 24 pounds and valued at over $19,000.

On Tuesday morning, McAllen agents on patrol near Havana, Texas, observed multiple smugglers carrying bundles on their backs. As the agents approached the drug smugglers, they abandoned the bundles and attempted to escape. Agents searched the immediate area, arrested a Honduran and Guatemalan national and seized more than 114 pounds of marijuana valued at over $91,000.

The same day, Brownsville agents responded to a reported drug smuggling attempt in area known for human smuggling and narcotics trafficking. Once in the area, agents searched and located shoe prints in an agricultural field. As the agents followed the prints, they observed three smugglers running south towards the river. Agents arrested two Mexican nationals and seized marijuana weighing over 107 pounds and worth more than $85,000.

Hours later, Fort Brown agents on patrol near the Rio Grande observed two undocumented immigrants running south towards the Rio Grande and swimming back to Mexico. Agents searched the immediate area and discovered two bundles of marijuana weighing more than 49 pounds and worth more than $39,000.

Wednesday morning, agents observed two smugglers walking north with bundles on their backs. As the agents attempted to arrest them, the smugglers dropped the bundles in an attempt to flee. Agents searched the brush and arrested a Mexican national and seized over 90 pounds of marijuana worth more than $72,000.

The public is encouraged to take a stand against crime in their communities and report suspicious activity at 800-863-9382.