Brooks County Sheriff Rey Rodriguez took us on Texas Highway 281. This is a major route for smugglers bringing narcotics into the United States from Mexico. He acknowledges that drugs come up here every day and in multiple loads.
Each year the Border Patrol checkpoint seizes hundreds of thousands of pounds of marijuana.
"We have 'em put it in spare tires and gas tanks," said a Border Patrol agent, whose voice and identity has been disguised because the agent feared of being fired for telling us what happens next - that up to 60 smugglers a month are being let go.
"We catch 'em, but then because our hands are tied, they end up walking and being released," said the agent.
As for what the biggest load of marijuana he's seen where someone was still let go, he said: "The biggest load that I've seen is right around 140 pounds."
Police here say federal authorities generally won't prosecute traffickers moving less than 150 pounds of marijuana with a street value of $120,000. So they leave those cases and the costs to local district attorneys, including Carlos Garcia of Brooks County.
"If we were to accept them, we're accepting them with all those financial responsibilities as well, and right now we're just not at a point where we can do that," Garcia said, adding that they just can't afford it.
The Justice Department used to help pay for the prosecutions in border areas. The funding reached $31 million in 2010 but fell to $5 million this year. There's no money in the White House budget request for next year.
Brooks County, Texas, prosecutor Carlos Garcia
-photo above-acknowledges there is not enough money to prosecute trafficking cases of
marijuana weighing less than 150 pounds.
"We're having problems here," said Garcia. "And it's not crime that's in our area, it's crime that's passing through our area. They just happen to get caught here."
He later added that "they're going to the rest of the United States."
The Justice Department declined our request for an interview. But in a statement, the agency said it had to "make difficult choices regarding funding" for border prosecutions.
The Border Patrol told CBS News in an email that if no one picks up those cases, agents have "no alternative but to seize the illegal drugs ... and then release the individuals involved".
Asked how it squares for him, as a law enforcement officer, the agent said: "It's a punch in the gut, because this is not the way the system should work or is supposed to work."
Since suspects can't be released at this highway checkpoint, federal agents are often stuck giving smugglers a ride to the nearest bus stop.
Source CBS-NEWS View related video on Siskiyou_kids Post
"We're having problems here," said Garcia. "And it's not crime that's in our area, it's crime that's passing through our area. They just happen to get caught here."
He later added that "they're going to the rest of the United States."
The Justice Department declined our request for an interview. But in a statement, the agency said it had to "make difficult choices regarding funding" for border prosecutions.
The Border Patrol told CBS News in an email that if no one picks up those cases, agents have "no alternative but to seize the illegal drugs ... and then release the individuals involved".
Asked how it squares for him, as a law enforcement officer, the agent said: "It's a punch in the gut, because this is not the way the system should work or is supposed to work."
Since suspects can't be released at this highway checkpoint, federal agents are often stuck giving smugglers a ride to the nearest bus stop.
Source CBS-NEWS View related video on Siskiyou_kids Post
Can't they extract info and then put a bullet in their head??
ReplyDeleteU should be our next president
DeleteYou are a piece of shit and should be the first to go
DeleteI like ur thinking. If we put a bullet in everyones head that crosses our border with drugs or no greencard
DeleteO no mas me maman el Chile y ya haha pinches idiotas..
Deletein the USSR it worked,kill'em all!their only chance would be to fess up and give up the boss
DeleteDang so I can be a narco, try to smuggle 150 lbs. Marijuana and get sent back? ............
ReplyDeleteLOL!!! Texas & its low State tax rates. Well, if ya don't pay much in taxes then don't be depressed about a lack of services, such as pesky things like prosecutors, police/fire, and other tax funded entities.
ReplyDeleteIf the Feds don't do smuggling cases under a certain amount, then the State should to try them for Distribution or Possession.
But then Texas Legis are more worried about banning tampons right now.
I agree. Why don't we just shoot them on the spot and leave them for the coyotes and save the tax payer some money.
ReplyDelete@5:05 PM, they can "put a bullet in their head" but then who would do the dirty work that leaves millions to our government? Its a hush-hush fact that the government allows certain drugs pass even when detected when the supply is low here. Specially for cocaine because the crime rate goes through the roof when there is a shortage of coke. The murders, jacking, robbery and home invasions gets out of control. The robberies because it costs more for a rock(crack) and the murders and home invasions because the local drug dealers are robbing each other because they can't buy it from their regular suppliers.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the RGV.
ReplyDelete600 lbs and you get off with probation.
Currupt gov sad aint it when your dead then
ReplyDeletemád famous the dope game has benifits to
this guy has a free out of jail card.
it also has It Flaws you can end up dead.
so i recomendó Stay smart and Stay ALIVE.
Stay away from mob life.
Allelujah Amen.
-AL Quds.
All these guys are just driver they really dont know shit and are really low level.
ReplyDeleteThem fuckers wont let anybody go been their done that bull shit
ReplyDeletePerfect time to get into the smuggling business
ReplyDeleteProbation is worst than being locked up!
ReplyDeleteThis is a lie. No way do the Feds let people go. There is no money in letting someone go they make money when they keep caged. And if there isn't room they'll make room they don't give a fuck. This article is meant to incite anger and play on your ignorance
ReplyDeleteYour wrong
DeleteStake em ou t in the desert on a ant hill. Urinate on them and say adios "my friend".
ReplyDeleteWelcome to planet tejas
ReplyDeleteWith tons and tons of illegal drugs going to the US from all over the world, the US must have the world's highest number of stoned drug users!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it the duty of the government to wean all these addicts from such drugs?
They are destroying the health of the country!!!!
When the Gov't shirks their duties, the citizenry pays the price. We are left with criminals all around us and our families. How do the bus companies feel about smugglers being dropped off by the govt. why don't the bus companies drop off the bus station bums at the BP checkpoint. LOL.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said...
ReplyDeleteLOL!!! Texas & its low State tax rates. Well, if ya don't pay much in taxes then don't be depressed about a lack of services, such as pesky things like prosecutors, police/fire, and other tax funded entities.
If the Feds don't do smuggling cases under a certain amount, then the State should to try them for Distribution or Possession.
But then Texas Legis are more worried about banning tampons right now.
July 12, 2013 at 6:58 PM
There are no republican office holders nearly all of south Texas. The dope money goes to democrats.
Not what he was saying genius. State tax laws are decided statewide, and tejas is a republican joke
DeleteThere was an agreement bw the feds and state of Texas wherein the feds would compensate the State for prosecution of certain federal checkpoint cases, mostly 200 pounds and under. Well the feds backed out of the deal and the State proclaimed that no prosecution would occur. The same holds true for Sarita checkpoint in Kenedy County, Texas. DA Hubert said the same as DA Garcia: no prosecuting of 100 pound loads. This is the first steps of legalizing marijuana. Seems there is no money to be made in prosecuting marijuana. No seizing the money going south is another story...
ReplyDeleteThat's bullshit...is it at least a moving violation and points on their drivers license?
ReplyDeleteYes, conviction for even misdemeanor possession of marijuana, dangerous drug, or a controlled substance is a ground for suspension of one's driver's licence.
DeleteMaybe they shouldn't be worrying about weed to begin with and we wouldn't be having this discussion.
ReplyDeleteJUST STOP USING MUDA FUKIN DRUGS!
ReplyDeletevery bad that homies get away kill more
ReplyDeletewho has a plan B
ReplyDeleteDrugs are being brought here because Idiot Americans have an insatiable apettite for drugs. Before Mexico was involved, it was the Columbians and before them, it was the Italians etc.etc. Quit using drugs you IDIOT Americans. Well of course you can always rely on The Biggest Cartels in the world called BIG PHARMA in where 30,000 die of LEGAL PRESCRIPTION DRUGS. You only hear about the high profile cases: Michael Jackson, Anna Nicole Smith, Elvis Presley, Whitney Houston etc. etc. Quit blaming Mexico for your STUPIDITY! Just plain facts. If these drugs are a available on the MOON, NASA Would still be in business
ReplyDeleteGood they shoulnt be arrested in the first place theres nothing wrong with cannibis. You can buy cancer in corner stores for 5$ and can get drunk for 20$ yet you get arrested for enriching and relaxing your thoughts with sativa. Cannabis smokers get jail time and kid killers walk free??? america... Its americas fault and mexican politicans that lick U.S b-sack that mexico is so messed up. Dont bealive me? open your eyes and see...
ReplyDelete...did you ever notice there haven't been the photos of huge piles of dope being burned by the policing agencies like in the old days...Hmmm?
ReplyDeletewe see it all the time working at checkpoints, even in the field if the dope is too far away from the bodys eg 100 yards , it makes it very hard to prosecute as the usda wants us catching the dope on their backs and that almost never happens
ReplyDelete