C.B.P. News Release

South Texas Officers, Agents Seize Assault Rifles during Outbound Operation

(Thursday, November 05, 2009)

Brownsville, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and Border Patrol agents working at the Brownsville Gateway International Bridge seized four high powered assault rifles and accessories during an outbound enforcement operation.

On November 4, CBP officers and Border Patrol agents working outbound enforcement operations at the Brownsville Gateway International Bridge came in contact with a southbound 1985 GMC Van that was traveling south, headed to Mexico. A CBP officer referred the vehicle and the male driver to secondary for further inspection. In secondary, CBP officers and Border Patrol agents noticed discrepancies to the vehicle’s rear quarter panels. The vehicle was referred for a non-intrusive image scan.

X-ray images revealed anomalies within the van’s two rear quarter panels. While conducting an inspection of the quarter panels, officers found four high powered assault rifles and several accessories. Officers seized a LAR .223 caliber Rockriver pistol rifle, J15-F .223 caliber Essential Arms rifle, Colt Match .223 caliber Colt assault rifle and one H & K Model 91, .308 caliber assault rifle. Also seized were five rifle magazines and one rifle scope.

The driver, identified as Francisco Reyes Martinez, a Mexican citizen, age 38 from Brownsville, Texas was arrested on a federal charge of unlicensed export of items on the U.S. munitions list. After his arrest, Reyes Martinez was transferred to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agents who continue to investigate this enforcement action. Pending appearance before a U.S. Magistrate, Reyes Martinez remains incarcerated. CBP officers seized the 1985 GMC van.

Michael T. Freeman, CBP port director, Brownsville said, “The illegal trafficking of weapons carries serious consequences. The U.S. Government, CBP, Border Patrol and our neighbors to the south continue to work as partners in addressing the threat of illegal weapons trafficking.â€