Agents Seize Dozens of AK47 Clips, Thousands of Rounds of Ammo
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers stop a man from smuggling assault rifle clips, 6000 rounds of ammunition into Mexico.
CBP officials tell ABC-7 the seizure happened Tuesday, March 29, at the Stanton Street Port of Entry. CBP officers and U.S. Border Patrol agents were checking southbound vehicles when CBP officers selected a 1999 Chevrolet Express conversion van for an intensive exam.
According to officials, the driver of the vehicle said he had nothing to declare during routine questioning by a CBP officer.
While searching the van, CBP officers discovered 148 AK-47 magazines, one M4 magazine and 6,000 rounds of ammunition. Officials say all the items were concealed in the upper front roof compartment of the vehicle.
Barry Miller, CBP Assistant Port Director said, “CBP officers at the port of El Paso are working hard to disrupt the criminal smuggling organizations’ activity. This is another good example of our officers’ vigilance and attention to detail.”
Miller added, “Our ongoing southbound inspections have resulted in seizures of weapons, ammunition, tactical equipment, unreported currency, stolen property, and the apprehension of fugitives and people who were in the country illegally.”
CBP officials say that the driver, 38-year-old Jose Guadalupe Hernandez Loya was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents after federal prosecution was accepted.
Hernandez Loya is a Mexican National who resides in Juarez, remains in the El Paso County jail without bond.
