Customs officials at the Los Indios International Bridge made a weighty discovery last week — nearly 9,000 rounds of ammunition hidden inside a vehicle attempting to exit the U.S. for Mexico. The driver, a 65-year-old Mexican citizen, was ensnared in a trap of law's lawmaking when his 2008 Chevrolet was selected for a thorough inspection. According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), this seizure added yet another tally to the ongoing efforts aimed at stemming the illegal movement of firearms and ammunition across borders.
According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Port Director Tater Ortiz, representing the Brownsville Port of Entry, commended the diligence of his officers in a statement. "Our officers work diligently conducting inbound and outbound inspections, and their perseverance and dedication to the border security mission led to this significant seizure of ammunition," he said. The inspection on Nov. 9 involved the aid of a canine unit and nonintrusive inspection technology, which ultimately led officers to the hidden cache within the vehicle. The stash was varied, with rounds ranging from .22 to 10mm calibers.
Following the discovery, CBP officers seized the ammunition and the vehicle. Homeland Security Investigations special agents took the driver into custody and launched a criminal investigation.
