CBP Officers At South Texas Port Seize 30 Assault Rifles, 39 Magazines

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Del Rio, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Del Rio Port of Entry, while conducting outbound examinations on Wednesday, seized 30 assault rifles and 39 magazines, the largest weapons seizure at the port so far this fiscal year. 

The seizure occurred on September 21during an outbound (southbound) examination at Del Rio International Bridge. A CBP officer referred a 2008 Nissan Altima driven by an 18-year-old female U.S. citizen from Eagle Pass for a secondary examination. CBP officers conducted an intensive examination of the vehicle and discovered a cache of weapons, including 30 assault rifles (varying calibers, including 7.62 x 39 mm, .223, and 5.56mm) and 39 gun magazines. CBP officers seized the vehicle, all of the weapons, and magazines.

CBP officers turned the driver over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations special agents for further investigation.

 “This is the largest amount of weapons seized by CBP officers at the Del Rio Port of Entry and at South Texas ports of entry in Fiscal Year 2011,” said Michael Perez, CBP Port Director, Del Rio. “This seizure is a shining example of the importance maintaining a robust outbound enforcement posture and exemplifies how CBP continues to keep our borders secure with positive impact on both sides of the river.”

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.