Contributed Photo/Courtesy U.S. Customs and Border Protection: An agent recovers a seized AK-47 assault rifle that was found behind a vehicle’s tail light.
Contributed Article/Courtesy U.S. Customs and Border Protection
NOGALES – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) officers conducting outbound operations seized assault rifles, magazines, parts, and ammunition hidden in a vehicle.
“CBP conducts outbound enforcement operations to help secure our shared border with Mexico,” said Port Director Michael Humphries, Nogales Port of Entry. “This weapon seizure demonstrates an outstanding job by our officers and denied these weapons from Transnational Criminal Organizations.”
The seizure occurred on the evening of Aug. 28, at the DeConcini Port of Entry in downtown Nogales when officers assigned to outbound operations selected a tan 1999 Chevy S-10 pick-up truck traveling to Mexico for inspection. The vehicle was referred for a non-intrusive imaging examination where anomalies could be seen in the rear quarter panels on the left and right sides of the pick-up bed. Upon removal of the taillight assembly of the vehicle revealed multiple cellophane-wrapped packages and socks filled with loose ammunition. Upon further physical inspection of the vehicle, four AK-47 rifles, four AK-47 bolts, four AK-47 bolt covers, four AK-47 bolt springs, six AK-47 ammunition magazines, and 889 rounds of ammunition were discovered hidden throughout the vehicle.
The weapons, magazines, and ammunition were seized by CBP OFO officers.
CBP’s Office of Field Operations is the primary organization within Homeland Security tasked with an anti-terrorism mission at our nation’s ports. CBP officers screen all people, vehicles, and goods entering the United States while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel. Their mission also includes carrying out border-related duties, including narcotics interdiction, enforcing immigration and trade laws, and protecting the nation’s food and agriculture industry from pests and diseases.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control, and protection of our nation’s borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with securing the borders of the United States while enforcing hundreds of laws and facilitating lawful trade and travel.