A 33-year-old woman was arrested for attempting to smuggle 12 guns, 20 magazines, and other firearm parts into Mexico through an El Paso port of entry, officials said.
The woman, a Mexican citizen, was driving a 2025 Volkswagen Virtus about 8 p.m. July 3 across the Bridge of the Americas international crossing, U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesperson Roger Maier said in a news release.
The woman, whose name was not released, was alone in the car. Officers selected her vehicle for an “intensive exam,” the news release states.
An X-ray exam of the car revealed anomalies in the doors. Officers removed multiple plastic-wrapped guns and firearm components that were hidden in the doors. The officers seized 12 firearms and 28 magazines. Other items hidden in the car seized included rifle optics, buttstocks, and a handgun lower receiver, the news release states.
The woman was arrested and turned over to Homeland Security Investigations agents. She is facing federal charges in connection with the failed smuggling attempt, the news release states.
“The intermittent pulse and surge southbound operations that CBP officers perform at area ports will often identify individuals attempting to smuggle weapons, ammunition, unreported currency and other violations,” CBP El Paso Director of Field Operations Hector Mancha said in a statement. “These important enforcement actions play a significant role in helping keep our border communities safer.”
Aaron Martinez covers the criminal justice system for the El Paso Times. He may be reached at amartinez1@elpasotimes.com or on X/Twitter @AMartinezEPT.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Woman caught smuggling 12 guns into Mexico at El Paso border, CBP says
Reporting by Aaron Martinez, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
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