Agents Seize More Than 90,000 Rounds of Ammo Headed To Mexico

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents in El Paso made a startling discovery on a commercial bus headed to Mexico, uncovering an arsenal that could have armed a small army.

At a Glance

CBP seized 92,900 rounds of large caliber ammunition at the El Paso port of entry
The ammunition was found on a commercial bus leaving the U.S. for Mexico
This seizure is nearly triple the amount seized in the last three fiscal years combined
Two Mexican bus drivers were arrested and face smuggling charges

Record-Breaking Ammunition Seizure at El Paso Border

In a significant blow to potential cross-border arms trafficking, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the El Paso port of entry seized an astounding 92,900 rounds of large caliber ammunition on August 17, 2024. The operation, conducted by CBP’s Anti-Terrorism Contraband Enforcement Team (ATCET), took place at the southbound lanes of the Bridge of the Americas (BOTA) port of entry.

The sheer volume of ammunition seized in this single operation is staggering, nearly three times the total amount confiscated by CBP officers at the El Paso field office over the past three fiscal years put together. To put this in perspective, previous seizures amounted to 15,678 rounds in FY 2021, 7,224 in FY 2022, and 11,205 in FY 2023.

CBP El Paso arrests drivers, seizes 92,000 rounds of ammo in Mexico-bound bus at border https://t.co/EZaY8BQI2h

— El Paso Times (@elpasotimes) August 20, 2024

Vigilant CBP Officers Uncover Massive Cache

The bust occurred when CBP officers noticed nervous behavior exhibited by the drivers of a commercial bus attempting to cross into Mexico. This prompted a thorough search of the vehicle’s cargo bay, where officers discovered multiple 27-gallon plastic storage totes filled with ammunition. The haul included 59,900 rounds of .223 ammunition and 33,000 rounds of 7.62 x 39 ammunition, both calibers commonly used in rifles.

“CBP’s primary mission is to inspect all goods and people entering the U.S. from abroad but the agency will also perform outbound inspections as part of our overall enforcement portfolio,” CBP El Paso Director of Field Operations Hector A. Mancha stated. “The magnitude of this seizure is impactful. Had this ammunition fallen into the hands of transnational criminal organizations, the impact could have been devasting [sic].”

The two bus drivers, both male citizens of Mexico, were immediately taken into custody and turned over to Homeland Security Investigations. They now face serious smuggling charges. In addition to the arrests, CBP seized the bus as part of the ongoing investigation.

Passengers Caught in the Crossfire

The bus was carrying 16 passengers at the time of the seizure. While most were allowed to continue their journey on a different bus, one passenger was found to be in the United States illegally and was processed accordingly. This incident highlights the complex nature of border security operations and the potential for innocent travelers to be inadvertently caught up in smuggling attempts.

“CBP officers working at the El Paso port of entry target all threats to enforce laws on the international border and make our communities safer on both sides of the border,” acting CBP El Paso Port Director Albert Barnes said in a statement.

This massive ammunition seizure serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement agencies along the U.S.-Mexico border. It also underscores the critical role that CBP plays in preventing potentially dangerous materials from falling into the wrong hands, safeguarding communities on both sides of the international boundary.