Border authorities uncover a cache of weapons inside a vehicle at a checkpoint near San Ysidro

July 19, 2010 | 7:02 pm

Border authorities inspecting cars heading into Mexico on Saturday discovered a cache of ammunition and weapons, including five machine guns, hidden inside a Nissan, according to officials with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency.

Also concealed inside the speaker box of the vehicle were two handguns, dozens of rounds of ammunition and tactical gear. The weapons were discovered at a checkpoint on Interstate 5 at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, just north of the U.S.-Mexico border. The driver, a 19-year-old man whose identity was not disclosed, was arrested, authorities said.

The inspections are part of an effort by the federal government to curtail the flow of weapons and money fueling the drug war in Mexico. Last week, border authorities arrested a 20-year-old man who was allegedly trying to smuggle two machine guns into Mexico via the border crossing at the Imperial Valley town of Andrade.

--Richard Marosi in San Diego

Email: newstips@latimes.com
Twitter: @latimescitydesk @lanow
Facebook: latimescitydeskMore in: San Diego County

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2 ... sidro.html