CBP Seizes Weapons at Hidalgo International Bridge

Hidalgo, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and U.S. Border Patrol agents working outbound enforcement operations at the Hidalgo International Bridge seized grenades, assault type rifles, handguns, ammunition and high capacity magazines during an outbound enforcement operation Wednesday morning.

On Mar. 30, 2011, CBP officers and Border Patrol agents working outbound enforcement operations at the Hidalgo International Bridge came in contact with a 1999 Chevy Tahoe that was traveling south headed into Mexico. The driver was identified as a 48-year-old Mexican citizen from Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico.

After a brief interview, officers referred the driver and Tahoe SUV to secondary for further inspection. In secondary, officers seized two grenades, four assault rifles, four handguns, 13 ammunition magazines and 213 live ammunition rounds that were discovered hidden within the Chevy Tahoe SUV.

CBP officers seized the vehicle and transferred the male driver to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for further investigation.”

Hector A. Mancha, CBP Port Director, Hidalgo/Pharr said,” I commend our frontline CBP officers and Border Patrol agents for their roles and work in interdicting and seizing this significant cache of weapons that was headed south into Mexico.” Mancha further said,” In the past, we have seized weapons and ammunition, and this is now the first recorded instance where our frontline officers seize grenades.”

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.