***Article first published by ' The Washington Examiner' on Jan. 17, 2019***

BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS — Border Patrol agents said they confiscated more than 700 lbs. of cocaine on Thursday just miles from the Rio Grande river.

I'm in the area with an appointment for a ride-along with border patrol agents, who say that this particular portion of the border is especially high in illegal crossing, including by drug smugglers, due to a lack of physical infrastructure to act as a barrier on the border.

Customs and Border Protection said the suspects were seen loading "bundles of narcotics" into an off-road-style utility vehicle outside of Garciasville, a city in Texas up against the river. The suspects, apparently aware they had been seen, were able to "abruptly" drive the vehicle into the river and escape into Mexico, CBP said.

CBP did not say how many suspects got away, only that there were "several," and that the amount of cocaine totaled 705 lbs., with an estimated value of $22.5 million.

“705 lbs. of cocaine, caltrops, evidence of sophisticated counter surveillance and a splashdown in one encounter are an obvious reminder of the need for more personnel, technology, and infrastructure in the Rio Grande Valley,” acting Chief Patrol Agent Raul Ortiz said in a statement. “Transnational Criminal Organizations continue to exploit areas along our western corridor that accounts for more than 90 percent of our traffic.”