HSI, CBP seize 4 ½ tons of marijuana worth $10 million from south Texas field

RAYMONDVILLE, Texas — More than 9,000 pounds of marijuana was seized Aug. 7 from a south Texas marijuana grow field by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) Border Patrol, with the assistance of Willacy County Sheriff's Office.

The local street value for the seized marijuana is estimated at $10 million.

HSI and CBP discovered two acres of marijuana plants Aug. 7 hidden in a grow field just 10 minutes away from Raymondville. After two days of hand picking the plants, agents reported a total seizure of 11,500 plants.

"This is the largest grow field of marijuana seized in this area," said Special Agent in Charge Janice Ayala, HSI San Antonio. "HSI and its Federal and State/Local partners will continue to invest significant resources to identify additional co-conspirators, illegal proceeds and other assets associated with this illicit scheme."

This is an ongoing investigation.