CBP News Release

El Paso CBP Officers Find More than Luggage in Motor Home; Drugs, Guns, Ammunition Discovered

(Thursday, November 06, 2008)

El Paso, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers conducting anti-terrorism operations at the Port of El Paso discovered 243 grams of cocaine, 17 grams of methamphetamine, three handguns (40 caliber Smith and Wesson semi-automatic, Glock 9mm and FNH 9MM semi-automatic handgun), one rifle (308 Beretta with scope) and 81 rounds of ammunition Tuesday night.

The seizure was made shortly after 8:30 p.m., when a 2008 ALLE motor home entered the Bridge of the Americas border crossing from Mexico. The driver told the officer that he had nothing to declare from Mexico. CBP offices initiated a secondary search of the vehicle and discovered weapons, drugs, ammunition and electronic devices.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested the driver Ramon Eduardo Gandara, 30, on drug importation, weapon charges, and alien smuggling. Gandara’s common law wife, passenger in the motor home, presented a border crossing card DSP laser visa not issued to her. Gandara is a U.S. citizen residing in El Paso, Texas.

“This is an illustration of the excellent work CBP officers do in securing our borders,â€