Federal agents seized more than 300 high-powered rifles and pistols that were hidden in the fake walls of two utility trailers being driven into Mexico.
The operation, part of the Trump administration’s aggressive “Operation Take Back America” initiative, targets Mexican drug cartel networks that thrive on weapons smuggled from the United States.
The interception happened at the Juarez-Lincoln Port of Entry in Laredo, where CBP officers were suspicious about two vehicles towing enclosed white box trailers.
After a quick search, the arsenal including thousands of rounds of ammunition and high-capacity magazines was discovered.
Officials say the weapons were headed for Mexican drug cartels, adding that Biden-era open border policies helped fuel an escalation in this type of weapons trafficking.
Driving the vehicles were Emilio Ramirez Cortes, 48, a Mexican citizen with legal U.S. residency, and his son, Edgar Emilio Ramirez Diaz, a U.S. citizen – both living in Alabama.
According to court records the duo confessed that they had smuggled weapons across the border multiple times including 12 full trailers loaded with guns, primarily AR-15-style rifles and other high-caliber handguns and long guns, ideal for cartel enforcers in turf wars.
Both men are facing charges of smuggling firearms, ammunition, magazines, and accessories, as well as trafficking weapons – offenses that carry the potential for decades in prison if convicted.
