CBP Officers at Del Rio Port Seize High-Powered Weapons Bound for Mexico

(Friday, April 27, 2012)
Del Rio, Texas – A Del Rio woman was taken into custody Tuesday after U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers found a long-range sniper rifle, along with components of other rifles, in her vehicle.

CBP officers in Del Rio, TX. seize weapons headed for Mexico

Around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, CBP officers observing outbound traffic headed for Mexico inspected a 1999 Ford Expedition driven by a 24-year-old Del Rio woman, accompanied by her one-year-old daughter. During an examination using a non-intrusive imaging system, CBP officers discovered a non-factory compartment inside the vehicle. Officers recovered a .50-caliber Barrett Model 82A1 rifle from the compartment. Also found in the compartment were two Barrett Model 82A1 lower receiver assemblies and four matching ammunition magazines, and a .38-caliber handgun.

The driver was turned over to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations while her child was released to Child Protective Services.

“One of the key goals of CBP is to disrupt the business of transnational criminal organizations,” said Michael Perez, CBP Port Director, Del Rio. “These rifles are high-powered sniper weapons that have no purpose other than armed combat.

“We are committed to preventing the illegal importation and exportation of firearms.”

Tuesday’s seizure came two weeks after CBP officers at Del Rio discovered eight assault rifles and more than 600 rounds of ammunition hidden in a vehicle bound for Mexico.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

CBP Officers at Del Rio Port Seize High-Powered Weapons Bound for Mexico - CBP.gov