SW Arizona News

US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents from the Yuma sector were at a gas station in Blythe, California, on June 12 when a canine alerted them to a vehicle. That alert led to what may be the largest seizure in the Yuma sector’s recent history, which was reported in a news release on June 14.

According to the CBP news release, the search revealed 25 AK-47-style rifles, 25 30-round magazines, and two pistols. Those items, CBP believes, were headed for Mexico. Two males were arrested: one a 25-year-old US citizen and the other a juvenile. The vehicle was seized, and the items were turned over to local law enforcement.

"Transnational Criminal Organizations traffic weapons to fuel their illicit activity on both sides of the border. This weapons seizure clearly demonstrates the importance of our Border Security mission and commitment of keeping our communities safe. Our Border Patrol agents remain steadfast and vigilant, and I am extremely proud of the work they do each day," said Yuma Sector Chief Patrol Agent Sean McGoffin in the CBP news release.

The CBP news release also indicated that this seizure was part of Operation Apollo, which began on October 26, 2023, in an attempt to stop fentanyl from coming into the country. The program focuses on collecting information and involves local CBP agents as well as federal, state, and local resources.

U.S. Border Patrol is a federal law enforcement agency under the Department of Homeland Security responsible for safeguarding the nation's borders and preventing illegal entry of people and contraband. Established in 1924, it operates in 328 ports of entry and protects 7,000 miles of land borders and 95,000 miles of maritime borders.