CBP Seizes Over 92,000 Rounds of Ammunition at El Paso Port of Entry
DEMING – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the El Paso port of entry made a significant seizure on August 17, 2024, confiscating 92,900 rounds of large caliber ammunition from a commercial bus attempting to cross into Mexico. The ammunition, discovered at the Bridge of the Americas (BOTA) port of entry, marks a nearly threefold increase in the amount of ammunition seized at this location compared to the last three fiscal years combined.
The bus, originating from Mexico, was stopped for a routine inspection by members of CBP’s Anti-Terrorism Contraband Enforcement Team (ATCET) just after 7:00 p.m. Officers noted nervous behavior from the two bus drivers, both male Mexican citizens, prompting a more thorough examination of the vehicle. During the inspection, CBP officers found multiple heavy plastic storage totes in the cargo bay, which contained 59,900 rounds of .223 caliber ammunition and 33,000 rounds of 7.62 x 39 caliber ammunition.
Hector A. Mancha, CBP El Paso Director of Field Operations, emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, “The magnitude of this seizure is impactful. Had this ammunition fallen into the hands of transnational criminal organizations, the impact could have been devastating.” The drivers have been handed over to Homeland Security Investigations for further legal action, and the bus has been seized.
At the time of the seizure, there were 16 passengers on board, one of whom was in the U.S. illegally and has since been processed. The remaining 15 passengers were released and allowed to continue their journey on a different bus.
This operation highlights CBP’s commitment to enforcing laws on the international border and preventing dangerous materials from reaching criminal organizations. Acting CBP El Paso Port Director Albert Barnes stated, “CBP officers at the El Paso port of entry target all threats to make our communities safer on both sides of the border.”