Thursday, May 27, 2010

Joint CBP Operation Seizes 1,994 Assault Rifle Rounds Leaving U.S. at Brownsville Port of Entry

Brownsville, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and Border Patrol agents working outbound enforcement operations at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge’s southbound lanes seized 1,994 rounds of undeclared assault rifle ammunition hidden within a 2007 Chrysler Sebring.

On May 24, CBP officers and Border Patrol agents working outbound enforcement operations at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge encountered a black Chrysler Sebring as it attempted to exit the U.S. to enter Mexico. The driver, identified as a 23-year-old male, and his 19-year-old male passenger, who both were U.S. citizens and residents of Brownsville, Texas, were referred to secondary for further inspection.

In secondary inspection, further examination of the vehicle by CBP officers and agents resulted in the discovery of several packages containing ammunition that were hidden throughout the Chrysler. CBP officers discovered a total of 1,994 rounds of .223-caliber ammunition in this enforcement operation.

Both men were taken into custody by CBP officers and turned over to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agents for further investigation.

“Brownsville’s CBP team has stopped a significant quantity of assault-type ammunitions from being exported into Mexico in violation of federal law. I applaud our officers and agents for a job well done with the interception of close to 2,000 rounds of ammunition,” said Port Director Michael Freeman of the Brownsville Port of Entry.

"The arrest of these suspects demonstrates the BEST [Border Enforcement Security Task Force] team's dedication to pursue those who pose a threat to public safety and the well being of our communities," said Jerry Robinette, special agent in charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in San Antonio. "We will continue to target criminal organizations, ensure compliance with our immigration and customs laws and make certain that our nation's borders are secure at all times."

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