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  4. CBP Officers Seize Sniper Rifle Headed for Mexico

CBP Officers Seize Sniper Rifle Headed for Mexico

Release Date
Thu, 09/23/2010

Nogales, Ariz. - U. S. Customs and Border Protection officers assigned to the DeConcini Port of Entry in Nogales seized a 50-caliber assault rifle and arrested two Mexican nationals while performing outbound operations.

On Sept. 21, at approximately 11:30 p.m., CBP officers working southbound inspections, referred a white 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass for a secondary inspection. While conducting the inspection of the vehicle, officers located a 50-caliber Armalite bolt action rifle on top of the vehicle's engine. Both the 19-year-old driver and his 17-year-old passenger were immediately arrested. A further background check, revealed an outstanding warrant for failure to appear for a traffic offense on the driver. Both men were turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) along with the vehicle, for further processing. The rifle and the vehicle were seized by CBP.

Nogales Port Director Guadalupe Ramirez praised his officers by stating, "The success of outbound operations has been the result of the dedication and commitment of our CBP officers. This extremely dangerous weapon was kept from reaching the hands of those engaged in causing violent acts against innocent citizens and law enforcement officials."

Director of Field Operations David Higgerson also said, "Nogales CBP officers may very well have saved many lives by discovering this dangerous weapon."

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Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021