HARLINGEN, Texas (Border Report) — U.S. officials say large amounts of weapons were seized at two South Texas land ports that were attempting to be smuggled into Mexico.
On Sunday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in Del Rio say they seized three weapons, nine magazines, and 1,389 rounds of ammunition in a vehicle headed south at the Del Rio International Bridge into Ciudad Acuña, Mexico.
The weapons and ammunition were found in a 2016 passenger van that was pulling a utility trailer, agents say.
“Every weapon and round of ammunition seized represents a potential threat neutralized,” Del Rio Port Director Liliana Flores said. “As this seizure illustrates, we will continue to leverage every resource to deter and disrupt illegal activities that threaten public safety.”
Laredo firearms smuggling plea
A father and son living in Alabama pleaded guilty in Laredo, Texas, to attempting to traffick over 500 weapons and a cache of ammunition over the border.
Emilio Ramirez Cortes, 48, a Mexican citizen who legally resides in Albertville, Alabama, and his son, Edgar Emilio Ramirez Diaz, 23, also of Albertville, have now admitted to smuggling of goods from the United States and trafficking firearms, U.S. Attorney Nicholas Ganjei announced.
Both were arrested Oct. 23 in separate vehicles at the Juarez-Lincoln International Bridge as they were attempting to drive an SUV and pickup into Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. Both vehicles were hauling white box utility trailers, where upon further inspection agents found false walls inside both trailers, Ganjei says.
A total of 534 firearms, 31,482 rounds of ammunition, 535 magazines, 40 scopes, four lasers and 10 rifle slings were confiscated, Ganjei says.
As part of their pleas, the men admitted they were smuggling the weapons and accessories. They also acknowledged they had done so on multiple occasions.
Both men face up to 15 years for trafficking firearms as well as another 10 years for smuggling of goods from the United States. Both convictions carry as possible punishment a $250,000 maximum fine.
Sandra Sanchez can be reached at SSanchez@BorderReport.com.