On August 17, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) made a significant seizure in Texas, confiscating over 92,900 rounds of large-caliber ammunition. The cargo was detected at the El Paso port of entry on a commercial tour bus en route to Mexico via the Bridge of the Americas.
This seizure is noteworthy—it nearly triples the total amount of ammunition seized by the El Paso field office during outbound inspections over the past three fiscal years, which includes 15,678 rounds in FY 2021, 7,224 rounds in FY 2022, and 11,205 rounds in FY 2023.
During a routine inspection, the two male bus drivers showed signs of nervousness, which prompted further investigation. They have since been handed over to Homeland Security Investigations and may face charges for the attempted smuggling. The bus was also seized by the CBP.
The incident unfolded shortly after 7 p.m. when the CBP’s Anti-Terrorism Contraband Enforcement Team stopped the bus in the southbound lanes at the BOTA port. Among the 16 passengers, one was identified as being in the U.S. without authorization and was processed accordingly. The others were released and transferred to a different bus headed to Mexico.
Upon searching the bus’s cargo bay, officers uncovered several heavy 27-gallon plastic totes filled with ammunition, including 59,900 rounds of .223 and 33,000 rounds of 7.62 x 39 calibers.
CBP Director of Field Operations Hector A. Mancha explained, “Our primary job is inspecting goods and people entering the U.S., but we also conduct outbound inspections to ensure safety.” He emphasized the potential risk of these ammunition supplies falling into the hands of criminals.
In a broader context, CBP officers remain vigilant in targeting threats along the border to enhance safety in both the U.S. and Mexico. Recently, another significant seizure occurred in Chiriaco Summit, where agents found 28 rifles and over 2,200 rounds of ammunition hidden in a suspect’s vehicle.
CBP data indicates a rise in such events, with 4,125 weapons and ammunition incidents recorded between October 2023 and July 2024, including 819 on the southwest border.