RGCPD SEIZES ALMOST 2300 LBS. OF POT FROM BOGUS DIREC TRUCK

After a minor three-vehicle accident on Tuesday, Dec. 22, the Rio Grande City Police Department seized almost 2300 pounds of marijuana from a van sporting bogus Direc TV insignia.

Rio Grande City Assistant Police Chief Noe Castillo indicated on Monday, Jan. 4, “No arrests were made. The Rio Grande City Police Department is continuing its investigation.”

Castillo emphasized, “That was not a legitimate Direc TV vehicle. It was phony insignia on the van.”

Castillo stated, “When officers searched the van, they found almost 2300 pounds of marijuana. The exact total was 2294.5 pounds of marijuana wrapped in 97 cellophane bundles.”

“At approximately 12:10 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 22, a Direc TV van was headed eastbound on U.S. 83,” declared the Assistant Chief. “That vehicle and two others were involved in an accident…The accident occurred at the intersection of Aguirre and U.S. 83, or in front of Lone Star Bank.”

Castillo noted, “A pickup was the only one of the three vehicles involved (in the accident) to remain at the scene. One of the other two parties besides the Direc TV van reported the mishap. It was a minor accident.”

After the accident, stated Castillo, “The Direc TV van made a U-turn and tried to go west on U.S. 83. The Direc TV vehicle stalled because of damage to one of its tires. Officers arriving at the scene saw that the van had been abandoned near the H & R Block office.”

The Assistant Chief continued, “When officers arrived, they detected the strong smell of marijuana. Witnesses had seen a male subject fleeing the scene, walking in an eastbound direction.”

Castillo indicated that at this time, investigation of this incident remains under the jurisdiction of the RGCPD. He noted that the RGCPD is continuing to investigate the episode. He stressed that the van “was not a legitimate Direc TV vehicle.”