U.S. officers seized hundreds of high-caliber weapons that were headed to Mexico as Washington ramps up efforts to curb arms smuggling.
The incident took place at the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge in Laredo, Texas. There, Customs and Border Protection officers from the Anti-Terrorism and Contraband Enforcement Team approached two vehicles that were seemingly moving together, according to Border Report.
One had a U.S. plate, the other a Mexican one, and the two carried utility trailers. After they were sent to a secondary inspection, a sniffing dog alerted officials of anomalies in the trailers. The vehicles were then scanned, with officials finding hidden wall compartments after opening them. They held wrapped rifles and ammunition.
The men were apprehended and then told officials that they were directed to pick up the trailers in Dallas and promised money if they took them to Mexico. They allegedly admitted to knowing the trailers had guns and had taken part in similar operations 12 times before.
There is abundant evidence about the flow of weapons bought legally in the U.S. to Mexico. The latter's Defense Secretariat said in July it had located 11 gun smuggling routes from the U.S. to Mexico.
In a report, the entity said it was able to spot the routes as a result of cooperation with the General Prosecutor's Office, and that most of them are used by criminal organizations. Overall, authorities were able to seize almost 6,000 guns between November 2024 and May this year.
The document adds that 43% of the guns seized come from Texas. An additional 22% come from Arizona and 9% from California.
Mexico's Security Minister Omar García Harfuch said earlier this year that 75% of the weapons recovered between February and May came from the U.S., a figure also acknowledged by U.S. officials.
The U.S. Supreme Court blocked in early June a $10 billion lawsuit filed by Mexico against U.S. manufacturers for allegedly helping fuel cartel violence in the country with their business practices. Mexico, in fact, has just one store where people can legally buy guns.
© 2025 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
