Corvette Seized with 44 Handguns Heading to Mexico

Border officers stopped the vehicle at the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge in Laredo, Texas.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers recently seized 44 handguns and 79 magazines from a 2021 Chevrolet Corvette that was attempting to cross the border into Mexico at the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge in Laredo, Texas. The driver of the vehicle was arrested by special agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations.

Why it matters

This seizure highlights the ongoing efforts by U.S. border authorities to prevent the illegal trafficking of firearms across the southern border, which is a major concern due to the high rates of gun violence in parts of Mexico. The large number of handguns found indicates this was likely a significant weapons smuggling operation.

The details

During an outbound inspection, CBP officers put the Corvette through an X-ray and canine examination, which led to the discovery of the 44 handguns and 79 magazines hidden inside the vehicle. The driver was arrested by Homeland Security Investigations agents.

  • The incident occurred on February 3, 2026.

The players

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

The federal law enforcement agency responsible for securing the U.S. borders and facilitating lawful trade and travel.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)

The investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that focuses on cross-border criminal activity, including the illegal trafficking of firearms.

Alberto Flores

The director of the Laredo Port of Entry for U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

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What they’re saying

“This seizure reflects the relentless dedication of our officers to upholding CBP's border security mission and keeping our border communities safe.”

— Alberto Flores, Director, Laredo Port of Entry, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (cenlanow.com)

What’s next

The driver of the Corvette will face charges related to the illegal export of firearms.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the ongoing challenge of preventing the flow of illegal firearms from the United States into Mexico, where gun violence remains a major problem. It demonstrates the vigilance of U.S. border authorities in disrupting weapons smuggling operations.