U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials seized more than 92,900 rounds of large caliber ammunition in Texas on August 17.

CBP officers at the El Paso Port of Entry intercepted the illegal shipment on a commercial coach en route to Mexico across the Bridge of the Americas in El Paso, Texas.

This seizure triples the total amount of ammunition confiscated by CBP officers at the El Paso Field Office during outbound inspections over the past three fiscal years.

CBP officers in El Paso seized 15,678 rounds of ammunition in fiscal year 2021, 7,224 rounds in fiscal year 2022, and 11,205 rounds in fiscal year 2023.

CBP officials said two bus drivers, both male Mexican citizens, “exhibited nervous behavior during the routine inspection.”

The drivers were turned over to the Department of Homeland Security and face charges related to the failed smuggling attempt. The bus was impounded by the Department of Homeland Security following the incident.

This seizure occurred after CBP’s Anti-Terrorism Contraband Enforcement Team stopped the coach for an inspection in the southbound lanes of the BOTA port of entry shortly after 7 p.m.

One of the 16 passengers on the bus was reportedly in the U.S. without authorization and was registered by CBP. The remaining 15 passengers were released and placed on another bus to Mexico.

During a search of the cargo hold, officers discovered several 27-gallon plastic storage containers that “appeared very heavy,” according to CBP.

Upon closer inspection, officers found boxes of ammunition, including 59,900 rounds of .223 caliber ammunition and 33,000 rounds of 7.62 x 39 caliber ammunition.

The bus was seized by CBP officers following the incident.

“CBP’s primary mission is to inspect all goods and persons entering the United States from abroad, but the agency will also conduct foreign entry screenings as part of its overall enforcement portfolio,” said Hector A. Mancha, CBP El Paso’s field operations director. “The magnitude of this seizure is impressive. Had this munitions fallen into the hands of transnational criminal organizations, the impact could have been devastating.”

“CBP officers working at the El Paso Port of Entry address all threats to enforce the laws at the international border and make our communities safer on both sides of the border,” said Acting CBP El Paso Port Director Albert Barnes.

Last month, CBP officers during a routine stop on Interstate 10 in Chiriaco Summit seized a large cache of weapons and ammunition hidden in the trunk of a suspected gun smuggler’s vehicle.

During a search of the vehicle, the stash was found in two duffel bags, one in the trunk and one in the back seat. Agents from the El Centro Sector seized 28 rifles, one pistol, 30 high-capacity magazines and 2,210 rounds of ammunition.

Previously, at the end of June, border officials between the United States and Mexico confiscated 67 weapons, 69 magazines and 33 rounds of ammunition hidden in a car at the Progreso international bridge.

According to CBP data, there were 4,125 weapons and ammunition “incidents” from October 2023 to July 2024, including 819 at the southwest border.

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