A black trash bag filled with cocaine was found on the beach at South Padre Island on Tuesday, Jan. 30, by Cameron County Park Rangers. The following press release came by Chief Horacio Zamora of the Cameron County Park Ranger Division:
"On Jan. 30, 2024, at approximately 7:23 a.m., Cameron County Park Rangers were waived about a package that washed up on shore.
Upon further investigation, the contents of the package were a white powdery substance, which tested positive for cocaine. After being weighed, the cocaine totaled an amount of 29.8 kilos, having an approximate value of $745,000.00. Park Rangers are conducting a joint investigation with the United States Border Patrol Fort Brown Station."
As of Friday morning, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported that the total amount discovered has reached $2.2 million.
Chief Patrol Agent Gloria I. Chavez of the Rio Grande Valley Sector Patrol Agency released the following statement, updating the total weight to 70.3 pounds.
"Outstanding coordination and collaboration with our partners. These narcotic smuggling cases highlight the threat of drug trafficking organizations impacting our region. I commend the relentless work performed by our partner agencies and our RGV Border Patrol agents working hard to keep our border and community safe."
Island Matters will monitor updates and provide additional information when available.