Douglas, Ariz. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers stopped an illegal exportation of a Romanian made AK-47 complete with a 30-round high-capacity magazine. The magazine contained 20 rounds of .30-caliber ammunition.
On May 22, a little past noon, CBP officers were screening travelers in the south-bound lane that directs traffic from the United States into Mexico. CBP officers selected a pedestrian for inspection due to a noticeable bulge under his shirt. The pedestrian was identified as a 20-year-old man who was a U.S. citizen and resident of Wilcox. CBP officers discovered that the bulge was a Romanian-made AK-47 assault rifle with a pistol grip and collapsible stock. Further inspection revealed that the man was also attempting to conceal a 30-round high-capacity magazine loaded with 20 rounds of .30-caliber ammunition in his sock.
CBP Officers seized the AK-47, ammunition and magazine. The Wilcox man was turned over to custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for further investigation and prosecution.
The CBP Office of Field Operations is responsible for securing our borders at the ports of entry. U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers' primary mission is anti-terrorism; they screen all people, vehicles, and goods entering the United States, while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel into and out of the United States. Their mission also includes carrying out traditional border-related responsibilities, including narcotics interdiction, enforcing immigration law, protecting the nation's food supply and agriculture industry from pests and diseases, and enforcing trade laws.
While anti-terrorism is the primary mission of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the inspection process at the ports of entry associated with this mission results in impressive numbers of enforcement actions in all categories.