FALFURRIAS – Today, congressional leaders from not only Texas, but all over the country got a behind the scenes look at operations at the new border patrol checkpoint in Falfurrias.
Before May 1 when Border Patrol agents were operating out of the old facility, they weren’t able to calculate exactly how many cars were coming through this checkpoint each day.
With the new facility and upgraded technology, on Memorial Day weekend, 18,000 vehicles passed through the facility in just one day.
Federal agents telling us this new checkpoint is far more efficient, separated by commercial and civilian lanes. And improved technology inside gives them a better look at just who us passing through our corridors.
“The Javier Vega Jr. checkpoint on Highway 77 and the new Falfurrias checkpoint are on the two major routes from the border, and they’re a necessary tool to not only interdict the flow of dangerous contraband, but the further entry traveling to communities throughout the nation,” said U.S. Border Patrol agent Dustin Araujo.
Border Patrol agents tell us the most common drug coming through these checkpoints is actually methamphetamines when in the past marijuana was the most commonly confiscated.
Emily Hamilton’s special reports from the border continue on Friday on KRIS 6 News.
