US Army Ammunition Plant Linked to Mexican Cartel Violence

Nearly half of .50-caliber rifle rounds seized in Mexico over a decade traced back to Lake City plant

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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A United States Army ammunition plant has been identified as the source of nearly half of all .50-caliber rifle rounds seized in Mexico over the past decade, according to the country's defense minister. This finding comes after an investigation revealed the leverage of this powerful ammunition by Mexican drug cartels in attacks against both government forces and civilians.

Why it matters

The fact that ammunition manufactured for the U.S. Military is ending up in the hands of cartels highlights the complex challenges of regulating the flow of arms and ammunition across international borders, even with existing legal frameworks. This issue has fueled violence within Mexico, with cartels using these weapons to launch military-style attacks.

The details

Defense Minister Gen. Ricardo Trevilla Trejo stated that, according to records, 137,000 cartridges have been seized since 2012, with 47% originating from the Lake City plant and sold in gun shops in the southern United States. The Lake City plant, located outside of Kansas City, Missouri, is the largest manufacturer of rifle rounds for the U.S. Military and has supplied ammunition to American consumers for over two decades. Agreements between the U.S. Army and the contractors operating Lake City have allowed .50-caliber ammunition to enter retail markets, ultimately reaching Mexican cartels. This includes armor-piercing incendiary rounds, despite Congressional efforts to prevent their transfer to civilians.

  • Since 2012, 137,000 cartridges have been seized by Mexican authorities.
  • Since 2003, at least 121 people have been killed in 87 attacks involving .50-caliber guns, according to an ICIJ count.
  • As of spring 2022, at least seven attacks on Mexican military and police helicopters using .50-caliber guns have been recorded.

The players

Gen. Ricardo Trevilla Trejo

The Mexican defense minister who stated that 47% of the 137,000 cartridges seized since 2012 originated from the Lake City plant.

Lake City plant

The largest manufacturer of rifle rounds for the U.S. Military, located outside of Kansas City, Missouri, that has supplied ammunition to American consumers for over two decades.

Claudia Sheinbaum

The President of Mexico who has stated she will seek answers from the U.S. Government regarding how military-grade weapons are entering Mexico.

Marco Rubio

The U.S. Secretary of State who recently announced a new initiative with the Mexican government to halt the trafficking of guns and ammunition.

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What’s next

President Sheinbaum has stated she will seek answers from the U.S. Government regarding how military-grade weapons are entering Mexico.

The takeaway

This case underscores the need for stronger regulations and oversight to prevent the diversion of U.S. military-grade ammunition into the hands of Mexican drug cartels, which has fueled violence and attacks against government and civilian targets.