Tens of Thousands of Ammunition Rounds Headed to Mexico Seized

Federal task force in Arizona intercepts large shipments of ammo bound for Mexican drug cartels

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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A federal task force in southern Arizona has seized more than 47,000 rounds of ammunition, mostly 7.62 x 39mm shells used in AK-47-style rifles, that were headed to Mexico in a recent four-week span. The seizures are part of an ongoing CBP effort called Operation Southbound to disrupt the flow of illegal weapons and ammunition to dangerous criminal networks in Mexico.

Why it matters

The smuggling of ammunition and firearms from the U.S. to Mexico is a major concern, as these weapons often end up in the hands of Mexican drug cartels and other criminal organizations. This interdiction highlights the efforts by U.S. authorities to stem the flow of illicit weapons and ammunition across the border, which is crucial for public safety on both sides.

The details

Members of the Nogales Contraband Enforcement Team in southern Arizona focused on vehicles heading south to Mexico and uncovered several large caches of ammunition. In one case, they found 18,000 bullets hidden in a false compartment in the bed of a vehicle. In another, they seized 25,000 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ammunition spread across 18 cardboard boxes. An additional 4,000 .22-caliber rounds were also intercepted. The seized ammunition was primarily 7.62 x 39mm shells, which are commonly used in AK-47-style rifles that are banned in Mexico.

  • On February 24, the Nogales Contraband Enforcement Team seized 18,000 bullets headed to Mexico.
  • Four weeks earlier, the team seized 25,000 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ammunition and 4,000 .22-caliber rounds bound for Mexico.

The players

Nogales Contraband Enforcement Team

A federal task force in southern Arizona that focuses on identifying and disrupting drug trafficking networks and the flow of illegal weapons and ammunition across the U.S.-Mexico border.

Guadalupe Ramirez

The Tucson Field Office director of field operations for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, who stated that the successful interdictions and seizures play a critical role in protecting America's borders and national security.

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What they’re saying

“Successful interdictions and seizures play a critical role in protecting America's borders and national security by preventing illegal weapons reaching dangerous criminal networks.”

— Guadalupe Ramirez, Tucson Field Office director of field operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection

What’s next

The seized ammunition will be used as evidence in ongoing investigations into the smuggling networks attempting to move these weapons and munitions into Mexico.

The takeaway

This operation highlights the ongoing efforts by U.S. authorities to disrupt the flow of illegal firearms and ammunition into Mexico, where they are often used by drug cartels and other criminal organizations to fuel violence and instability. Stopping these illicit cross-border shipments is crucial for public safety on both sides of the border.