November 26, 2019 900 PM
BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK — Authorities last week arrested a man at the Boquillas Port of Entry after finding almost 2,500 rounds of ammunition in his possession as he tried to cross into a small Mexican tourist town.
The arrest happened Friday morning in an operation involving the National Park Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations.
A 47-year-old Mexican citizen was heading to Mexico when he consented to a search. A park ranger found 2,415 rounds of .22 and .25 caliber ammunition in his possession. The man was arrested and will face charges for the smuggling attempt, CBP stated a news release.
The man arrived at the port in a truck, a CBP spokesman said in an email to The Big Bend Sentinel. “The car was not traveling to Mexico though,” the spokesman added. “Just the man and his goods.”
The remote Boquillas Port of Entry takes travelers between Big Bend National Park and the Mexican village of Boquillas del Carmen. It’s crossable by foot (when the water’s low) or by boat.
Later that day, the Anti-Terrorism Contraband and Enforcement Team of CBP made another border arrest — this time in Presidio city. They seized almost 14 pounds of cocaine from a 36-year-old Mexican citizen who was attempting to cross between Presidio and Ojinaga.
A drug-sniffing dog alerted officers during a primary inspection, and agents scanned the car with x-ray machines, revealing a hidden compartment.
Inside, agents found five packages of cocaine. That man was also arrested and will face charges.
