C.B.P. News Release

CBP Seizes nearly 2,000 Rounds of Ammunition Bound for Mexico
(Wednesday, June 17, 2009)

Brownsville, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and Border Patrol agents working outbound enforcement operations yesterday at the Gateway International Bridge in Brownsville, Texas seized nearly 1,950 rounds of undeclared ammunition hidden in boxes of detergent.

CBP officers and agents working southbound operations came in contact with a southbound red Ford F-150 pickup as it attempted to exit the United States to enter Mexico. After a routine primary examination, the driver, Mario Salinas, 41, a U.S. citizen from Brownsville was referred for an intensified examination.

CBP personnel noted discrepancies with two boxes of detergent found in the bed of the pickup. Further search of the boxes resulted in the discovery of one large plastic bag in each box containing ammunition commingled with the powder detergent. A CBP officer discovered 1,947 rounds of 5.56 caliber ammunition in this enforcement operation.

The driver was arrested by CBP officers and Border Patrol agents and subsequently was turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agents who continue to investigate this failed smuggling attempt. ICE will process Mario Salinas on federal charges for unlicensed export of items on the U.S. munitions list.

“Brownsville-based CBP officers and Border Patrol agents greatly contributed in preventing this ammunition from being exported contrary to federal law,â€