Rachel C. Hernandez Acting United States Attorney for the District of Arizona | U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona
Jose Herrera Daniel, a 56-year-old resident of Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico, has been charged with attempting to smuggle ammunition from the United States into Mexico. The criminal complaint was filed on May 14, 2025.
The allegations state that Daniel tried to transport 6,399 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition through the Douglas, Arizona port of entry on May 13. A search conducted by a United States Customs and Border Protection K-9 officer led to the discovery. The officer's dog, trained to detect weapons and ammunition, signaled an alert on Daniel's vehicle. A subsequent scan revealed irregularities in the rocker panels on both sides of the vehicle. Officers found plastic bags containing thousands of rounds during a physical inspection.
It is important to note that a criminal complaint is merely a charge and does not imply guilt. In the United States legal system, individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
This case falls under Operation Take Back America, which aims to combat illegal immigration and dismantle cartels and transnational criminal organizations. The operation utilizes resources from the Department of Justice's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhoods.
The investigation was carried out by Customs and Border Protection along with Homeland Security Investigations. The prosecution is being handled by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona in Tucson.
