Federal officials say a routine border inspection in Nogales turned into something closer to an action movie prop check, after officers uncovered a rocket-propelled grenade launcher tube, dozens of rifles and a stash of weapon parts hidden in a Phoenix woman's car. The April 19 seizure at the DeConcini Crossing led to a federal smuggling charge alleging the weapons were headed into Mexico, the latest in a string of outbound gun interdictions at southern Arizona ports of entry.
According to a CBP release, officers at the Nogales port referred the vehicle to secondary inspection after a primary officer spotted an anomaly. A non-intrusive scan and follow-up search revealed a concealed void under the rear seat. Inside, officers say they found an RPG launcher tube, four AR-style rifles, 16 AK-style rifles, an AK-style pistol, 24 rifle magazines, 16 rifle stocks and about 20 pistol grips. The weapons and the vehicle were seized, and officers accepted federal prosecution under 18 U.S.C. § 554.
Local reporting identified the driver as Migdelia Irma Mendoza, 42, of Phoenix, and said a federal grand jury returned an indictment in the case this week, according to 12News. Federal court records filed in Arizona indicate the case is moving through magistrate-level hearings, per Leagle. CBP says Mendoza was traveling with three minors, who were released to a family member after the seizure, according to 13 News/Arizona's Family.
How Officers Say They Uncovered the Cache
CBP officials say the primary inspector flagged something off about the back-seat area and sent the vehicle to secondary inspection. A nonintrusive scan led officers to a hidden void under the rear seat, where they say the cache of weapons and parts was tucked away. The items were pulled from the compartment and seized on the spot. The agency said the bust helped "prevent these dangerous weapons from wreaking havoc," and framed the case as part of stepped-up outbound enforcement at Arizona border crossings.
Legal Implications
Prosecutors charged Mendoza with attempting to smuggle goods from the United States, a violation of Cornell Law School's posted statute for 18 U.S.C. § 554, which makes it a crime to knowingly export goods in violation of U.S. law and carries potential prison terms of up to 10 years. CBP also seized the vehicle, and federal authorities can seek forfeiture of vehicles used to facilitate export violations as part of criminal enforcement and asset-forfeiture proceedings.
Border Enforcement Context
Officials say the arrest lines up with a broader push to stop southbound weapons at the border, with similar outbound operations this spring intercepting large ammunition loads and other weapon shipments at Nogales. For recent examples, see coverage of 47,000 rounds headed for Mexico.
Mendoza now faces federal prosecution in Arizona and is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. Prosecutors and CBP have not released additional details on upcoming hearings or on whether more charges could follow.
