Contributed Article/Courtesy U.S. Customs and Border Protection
TUCSON — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers conducting outbound enforcement operations at the Area Port of Nogales, Ariz., seized an RPG launcher tube, weapons, and parts from a U.S. citizen attempting to depart the United States.
“Under the powerful leadership of President Donald J. Trump and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, our frontline CBP officers utilized an effective combination of inspection experience and technology to find these weapons and prevent them from falling into the hands of the cartels,” said CBP’s Acting Deputy Commissioner Ron Vitiello. “CBP prevented these dangerous weapons from wreaking havoc on the good people of Mexico.”
On April 19, officers at the Nogales Port of Entry, DeConcini Crossing, referred a 41-year-old female U.S. citizen driving a 2016 Lexus IS 200t for additional inspection as she attempted to enter Mexico through the port. The woman was accompanied by three minors. The vehicle was referred to secondary inspection by the primary inspecting officer.
A nonintrusive inspection revealed an anomaly in the back seat area. After removing the contents of the vehicle, officers discovered a void under the rear seat of the vehicle, which contained a rocket-propelled grenade launcher tube, four rifles, an Avtomat Kalashnikova–or AK–pistol, 16 AK rifles, 24 rifle magazines, 16 rifle stocks, 20 pistol grips, and miscellaneous other weapons parts.
Acting Director of Field Operations Carlos Gonzalez stated, “Every day, CBP officers serve on the front lines, actively dismantling the transnational criminal organizations that destabilize the region. U.S. Customs and Border Protection remains steadfast in its mission to secure our borders and prevent these illicit networks from threatening the safety of our nation.”
Officers seized the weapons and vehicle. The driver was arrested; federal prosecution was accepted, and she was charged with a violation of 18 USC 554 – Smuggling goods from the United States. The three children were released to the custody of a family member.
“President Trump designated criminal drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations for good reason, and this case is one of many that shows their violent intent to hang on to power,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona Timothy Courchaine. “The United States Attorney’s Office is proud to work alongside the Department of Homeland Security to make sure we choke off the flow of weapons to violent actors in Mexico and bring their accomplices in the United States to justice.”
Federal law allows officers to charge individuals by complaint, a method that permits the filing of charges for criminal activity without inferring guilt. Individuals are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
