SW Arizona News

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents seized a cache of high-powered assault weapons from a vehicle driven by a 28-year-old U.S. citizen on November 1 at the Area Port of San Luis, according to a November 7 news release from CBP.

According to the release, at noon on November 1, a male U.S. citizen in a Chevrolet sport utility vehicle attempted to enter Mexico from the United States at the San Luis Port of Entry. During the initial inspection, a CBP canine alerted officers to the presence of weapons in the vehicle, which was then referred for further inspection. Using non-intrusive technology, CBP agents scanned the SUV and discovered irregularities within the speaker box behind the vehicle’s rear seat. In an additional search, CBP officers located five AK-47 rifles, five ammunition magazines for these guns, two .50-caliber rifles, and two .50-caliber ammunition magazines concealed behind the speaker box.

All weapons, ammunition, and the vehicle were seized by CBP. The man was referred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations for further processing.

"Preventing the smuggling of these weapons into Mexico undoubtedly saved lives," said Chris Leon, Area Port Director for San Luis. "Our CBP officers remain alert and keen to disrupt illegal activity that compromises safety and security within our communities on both sides of the border."

U.S. Customs and Border Protection 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.