CBP Personnel Seize Assault Rifles, High Capacity Magazines

Hidalgo, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and Border Patrol agents working outbound enforcement operations a the Hidalgo/Reynosa International Bridge seized seven assault rifles and seven high capacity ammunition magazines Tuesday afternoon.

On Feb. 22, CBP officers and Border Patrol agents working outbound enforcement operations at the Hidalgo/Reynosa International Bridge came in contact with a southbound 1999 Ford Taurus station wagon and its driver, a 23-year-old U.S. citizen from Edinburg, Texas that was headed into Mexico.

After the initial inspection, the driver and vehicle were referred to secondary for further inspection. In secondary, officers seized six 7.62 x 39 mm assault rifles, one .308 assault rifle and seven high-capacity ammunition magazines that were found hidden within the vehicle. CBP officers seized the Taurus as well.

The male traveler was transferred to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations for further investigation.

“I commend our frontline CBP officers and Border Patrol agents for their work in securing our nation’s borders and for their continued work in seizing and disrupting the illegal flow of high-powered weapons into Mexico," said Hector A. Mancha, port director at Hidalgo/Pharr.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.