Boxes containing 1,200 .308-caliber rifle rounds seized by CBP officers at Hidalgo International Bridge during an outbound examination. USCBP Image
Texas Border Business
HIDALGO, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Hidalgo International Bridge intercepted 2,200 rounds of ammunition from a traveler heading to Mexico.
“The undeclared exportation of weapons and ammunition into Mexico is illegal. Our CBP officers prevented these bullets from reaching Mexico thanks to their diligent inspection work,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry.
On February 6, 2023, CBP officers conducting outbound enforcement operations at the Hidalgo International Bridge encountered a green Ford SUV driving southbound to Mexico. The vehicle was driven by a 33-year-old U.S. citizen. A CBP officer referred the vehicle for further inspection. After physically inspecting the vehicle, officers discovered a total of 1,200 .308-caliber rifle rounds and 1,000 .223-caliber rifle rounds concealed within the vehicle.
CBP OFO seized the ammunition and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents arrested the driver and initiated a criminal investigation.
