A Border Patrol chase that passed through Sunrise Mall Wednesday ending with a crash on Pablo Kisel Boulevard resulted in the seizure of approximately 356 pounds of marijuana and the discovery of a stolen loaded pistol registered with the Department of Homeland Security.
Federal authorities arrested Hector Monclova-Perez and Ksandra Medrano, both of whom made a first appearance in court Thursday, and charged them with possession with the intent to distribute approximately 356 pounds, court records show.
According to a criminal complaint, a call went out to Border Patrol at around 9:10 a.m. Wednesday about a possible smuggling operation between an area described as Los Fresnos Pump Road and Water Tower Road.
A Remote Video Surveillance System agent monitoring the area reported to Border Patrol agents in the field that a white truck entered the area and minutes later exited with what appeared to be bundles in the bed, court records indicate.
Border Patrol agents who set up in the area covering all possible exit routes attempted to pull over the vehicle and keep it away from Highway 281, but the driver refused to stop, according to the criminal complaint.
Instead, the driver of the vehicle drove on FM 802 toward Sunrise Mall and onto Pablo Kisel before hitting a palm tree.
Border Patrol detained Monclova-Perez and Medrano at the scene of the crash and seized five bundles of marijuana from the bed and another eight in the cabin for a total of 13, according to the criminal complaint.
The agents also discovered the H&K P200 Pistol that was stolen on Oct. 28, 2018, and is registered to DHS, along with nine fully loaded magazines with a magazine in the pistol and a round in the chamber, along with 103 loose rounds in the center console, court documents indicate.
Border Patrol said in the complaint that the marijuana’s estimated street value is $285,240.
Both are being held without bond pending probable cause and detention hearings scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on April 9 in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Ronald Morgan.
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© 2019 The Brownsville Herald (Brownsville, Texas)
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