Upper East Texas News

In a recent operation at the U.S.-Mexico border, law enforcement authorities intercepted over 13,000 rounds of ammunition concealed in a cargo vehicle attempting to cross into Mexico, according to a press release. The seizure has prompted concerns about potential illicit arms trafficking and border security.

During a routine outbound inspection on the evening of Aug. 23 at the Del Rio International Bridge, officers from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) selected a white 1992 Ford cargo van bound for Mexico for further examination. As part of the standard outbound operations procedure, both the vehicle and the utility trailer it was towing underwent a non-intrusive inspection system examination. Upon a physical inspection of the van and trailer, CBP officers discovered a substantial amount of concealed ammunition, cleverly hidden within ammunition boxes that were placed inside trashcans.

In total, the CBP officers seized 13,440 rounds of ammunition, representing various calibers, as a result of this discovery. Following the seizure, the CBP Office of Field Operations (OFO) officers took custody of the ammunition, and the case was subsequently handed over to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents for a comprehensive investigation into the matter.

Last month, DPS Lt. Chris Olivarez discussed the ongoing efforts of Operation Lone Star to address the increasing concerns surrounding cartel activities along the U.S.-Mexico border. This followed the arrest of Mexican cartel members armed with automatic rifles and armor-piercing ammunition who had crossed into Texas, shedding light on the persistent threats posed by these criminal groups. Olivarez emphasized that Mexican drug cartels have operational control over the border, facilitating human and drug smuggling into the United States and thereby presenting a significant challenge to public safety and national security.