U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized seven AK-47 rifles and 11,000 rounds of ammunition from a U.S. citizen attempting to leave the United States, according to a March 16 announcement.
The seizure took place at the Raul H. Castro Port of Entry in Douglas, Arizona, when officers referred a 24-year-old male driving a Dodge Ram 1500 van for further inspection as he tried to enter Mexico. During the search, officers found several packages inside the vehicle containing the firearms and ammunition.
The weapons and vehicle were confiscated, and the driver was arrested before being turned over to Homeland Security Investigations. Federal law allows officers to charge individuals by complaint, which means charges can be filed without inferring guilt; all individuals are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
CBP officers are responsible for screening all people, vehicles, and goods entering the United States while also facilitating legitimate trade and travel. Their duties include intercepting weapons and narcotics, enforcing immigration and trade laws, and protecting the nation's food supply from pests and diseases.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection describes itself as America's frontline—the largest law enforcement organization in the country with more than 67,000 personnel working on land, air, and sea to enforce safe travel and trade while enhancing national security.
