Federal immigration and border officials in Texas reported a high-value cocaine seizure, the lodging of immigration detainers in a fatal crash, and the escape of two detainees accused of choking a federal agent.

$2.3 MILLION IN ALLEGED COCAINE PACKAGES

Donald R. Kusser, Director of Field Operations in Laredo, said on social media that Customs and Border Protection and state partners intercepted 70 packages of alleged cocaine hidden in a tractor-trailer shipment at Hidalgo. He said the street value was more than $2.3 million.

“HIDALGO, TEXAS. Our state and local partners know that they can count on us to help. This @TxDPS assist led to the discovery of 70 packages of alleged cocaine with a value of over $2.3 million hidden within a shipment in a tractor trailer. All with the help of our tools&tech,” Kusser wrote.

 

A similar seizure valued at $2.3 million was reported on July 26 when Border Patrol agents said they found 72 pounds of cocaine concealed in a Freightliner tractor-trailer at the Javier Vega Jr. checkpoint near Kingsville. The driver was taken into custody, and prosecutors were expected to review the case, according to KRIS 6 News.

DETAINERS FILED AFTER ROWLETT FATAL CRASH

Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Dallas field office said it filed detainers with the Rowlett Police Department on two Venezuelan nationals arrested after a motorcyclist was killed on Interstate 30 earlier this month.

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“ICE @ERODallas lodged immigration detainers with the @RowlettTexas Police Department on two illegal aliens from Venezuela after they were arrested for allegedly hitting and killing an innocent motorcyclist and then attempting to hide from authorities in nearby brush,” the office posted.

 

Rowlett police said 24-year-old Marcus Davis of Forney was ejected over a guardrail and later died at a hospital. Officers said they arrested 27-year-old driver Wilmary Salazar Rodriguez and 29-year-old passenger Yunior Marin-Garcia, who were found hiding in brush with the help of a drone.

Rodriguez was charged with collision involving death, while Marin-Garcia was charged with public intoxication and failure to report a felony, police said, per WFAA.

In a similar case in 2019, a man in Oregon received a sentence of more than 12 years for driving drunk, running a red light, and killing a couple on a motorcycle, KGW reported.

ESCAPE AFTER AGENT CHOKED IN CONROE

Immigration and Customs Enforcement said two Mexican nationals escaped custody on September 22 after one allegedly slipped his restraints and choked a female Border Patrol agent who was transporting them in Conroe.

“It is sickening that another law enforcement officer has been needlessly harmed as a direct result of the continued demonization of legitimate law enforcement activities by political leaders and certain members of the media,” ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations acting Field Office Director Gabriel Martinez said in a release.

 

The escapees were identified as Juan Carmen Padron Mendez, 29, and Juan Carlos Padron Barron, 23. ICE officials said Padron Barron has illegally entered the U.S. at least three times and was previously expelled in December 2022 and January 2023.

Authorities asked the public to call 866-347-2423 with any tips about their whereabouts.

Texas Takedown Weekly is a recurring series from The Dallas Express chronicling the most significant immigration-related arrests and narcotics seizures across the state. To read last week’s edition, click Texas Takedown Weekly: $16M Meth Mangoes, $557K Heroin, Rehab Boss Busted (September 19, 2025).