U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized eight firearms and 500 rounds of ammunition attempting to illegally enter Mexico at the Presidio, Texas Port of Entry on July 8.
According to a July 10 announcement, CBP officers discovered six rifles, two handguns, 180 magazines, 500 rounds of ammunition, and firearm components including machine gun barrels in a 2013 Nissan X-trail headed for Mexico. The contraband was found after non-intrusive inspection technology detected anomalies in the vehicle during southbound inspections. A subsequent physical inspection uncovered hidden compartments containing the items.
The driver of the vehicle, identified as a male lawful U.S. permanent resident and Mexican citizen, was taken into custody. He has been charged with violations of federal law related to smuggling goods and trafficking in firearms.
Ray Provencio, Director of the El Paso Field Office, said, “This seizure demonstrates CBP’s commitment to preventing firearms and ammunition from illegally entering Mexico and arming dangerous criminal organizations. Our southbound inspection teams search for firearms, ammunition, and currency from illicit criminal activities to prevent this contraband from arming and financing the Mexican Drug cartels. And by doing so we assist our Government of Mexico law enforcement partners as we work to make our shared border region safer.”
U.S. Customs and Border Protection describes itself as America’s frontline—the nation’s largest law enforcement organization and the world’s first unified border management agency—with over 70,000 personnel protecting America on land, air, and sea.