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CBP: U.S. citizen stopped with over 6,300 rounds of ammunition hidden in truck

Posted at 11:50 AM, Oct 28, 2019
and last updated 2019-10-28 14:59:57-04

PRESIDIO, Texas  — A U.S. citizen was stopped by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Presidio, Texas port of entry last week, with officials discovering over 6,300 rounds of ammunition hidden in the suspect's vehicle, according to a press release issued by CBP.

Officials state that on October 24, a 20-year-old U.S. citizen driving a 2003 Ford Expedition was stopped by CBP officers. It is unclear why the suspect was initially stopped.

"Upon inspection of the vehicle, officers discovered 6,380 rounds of various caliber ammunition hidden in the rear quarter panels and underneath the seats of the vehicle," CBP wrote in their press release.

A second weapon seizure took place on October 25 around 7 a.m., CBP says, when a 49-year-old legal permanent resident was "selected for inspection."

Inspection of the man's 2003 Chevrolet Wagon Sport allegedly led officers to the discovery of "an undeclared automatic weapon hidden in the rear quarter panel of the vehicle."

CBP officers confiscated the 9mm handgun, 34 rounds of ammunition and the Chevrolet Wagon Sport, officials say.

A third incident occurred on October 26 when CBP officials say they stopped a 45-year-old Mexican citizen driving a 2004 Chevrolet pickup truck at a port of entry.

A canine inspection led officers to x-ray the vehicle, where they determined there were "anomalies in the bed of the truck."

Officials say dismantling of the truck led officials to find "135 silver-taped bundles weighing 145 pounds whose contents tested positive for the properties of marijuana."

“Although the main goal of CBP is to protect the United States from terrorists and prevent terrorists from making entry into the United States, our officers are highly trained in the detection and interception of drugs, weapons and ammunition along our ports of entry,” stated acting Port Director Alejandro Leos.

The drivers of the vehicles accused of smuggling ammunition and drugs were turned over and arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement HSI agents to face federal smuggling charges, CBP wrote.

No one was arrested in the gun case, CBP says.