Skip to main content

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

  • Archived Content
    In an effort to keep CBP.gov current, the archive contains content from a previous administration or is otherwise outdated.
  1. Home
  2. Newsroom
  3. Local Media Release
  4. Smugglers with Assault Rifle Stopped by BP

Smugglers with Assault Rifle Stopped by BP

Release Date
Thu, 05/07/2020

TUCSON, Ariz. – U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested two U.S. citizens for smuggling three illegal aliens, and seized an AR-15 rifle, southeast of Why, Arizona, Wednesday.

At approximately 9 p.m., Tucson Sector agents observed several people emerge from the desert near the international border and enter an awaiting Chevy pickup on Federal Route 1. Agents patrolling the area performed an immigration related traffic stop on the truck, leading to the discovery of three Mexican nationals illegally present in the United States and an AR-15 rifle and ammunition.

Agents seized a tactical rifle from a pair of suspected alien smugglers
Agents seized a tactical rifle from
a pair of suspected alien smugglers

All three illegal immigrants were arrested. The driver and passenger of the truck, both U.S. citizens, remain in custody, pending federal smuggling charges. The AR-15, ammunition and the truck were seized.

For more details regarding this news release, contact the Tucson Sector Public Affairs Office at tca-pao@cbp.dhs.gov or by phone at 520-748-3210. Tucson Sector is also LiveU capable. Contact us to schedule an interview.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with securing the borders of the United States while enforcing hundreds of laws and facilitating lawful trade and travel.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021