Drugs Continue To Wash Up On Texas Beaches

Finding a brick of cocaine on a Texas beach has become more common over the last year.

"There is definitely a noticeable increase especially from last year," U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agent Amin Rosado told KFDM.

The issue of drug bundles randomly washing up on Texas beaches on the Gulf Coast made national headlines in May when 110 pounds of cocaine were found on Matagorda County. Since then washed-up drugs have been found in beaches in Galveston County, Chambers County, and Jefferson County.

For the entirety of 2020, the eight washed-up drug bundles were reported to the DEA. Between April and June of 2021, 79 drug wash-ups were reported. Most of what was found was cocaine and marijuana.

So, where are these drugs coming from? The DEA thinks that changing Gulf currents are pushing the bundles towards Texas.

The agency also believes that boats that are smuggling drugs toss their cargo in the water if they run across the U.S. Coast Guard.

"I believe fishermen are getting spooked by various reasons. They may see the presence of law enforcement," Rosado said.

Before anyone starts beachcombing for drugs, keeping them can result in criminal charges.