Executive Director Rebekah Salazar, Privacy and Diversity Office | U.S. Customs and Border Protection
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the El Paso port of entry have seized 11,100 rounds of 7.62 ammunition on November 5, 2024. The ammunition was hidden in the quarter panels of a vehicle crossing the Bridge of the Americas international crossing.
"The volume of this seizure is substantial," stated Hector Mancha, CBP El Paso Director of Field Operations. He highlighted that CBP officers at El Paso area ports had previously seized 15,678 rounds in fiscal year 2021, 7,224 rounds in fiscal year 2022, and 11,205 rounds in fiscal year 2023.
The incident occurred around 5:30 p.m. when a Mexican man driving a 2011 Honda Ridgeline arrived from Mexico. A Low Energy Portal scan indicated possible anomalies with the vehicle's appearance, prompting further examination by CBP officers.
A CBP currency and firearms detection canine alerted to the car, leading to a secondary Z-portal x-ray scan which confirmed irregularities in the quarter panels. Officers subsequently discovered multiple bags of loose ammunition concealed within.
The driver was arrested for violating U.S.C. Title 18 Section 545 related to smuggling goods into the United States. He was handed over to Homeland Security Investigations for federal prosecution.
This marks the second significant ammunition seizure at BOTA recently; more than 93,000 rounds were confiscated on August 17, 2024.
CBP serves as America's frontline law enforcement organization and border management agency with over 65,000 personnel dedicated to safeguarding national security while facilitating lawful travel and trade.
