Earlier this week the Mexican government claimed that it has caught a United States Citizen attempting to bring 13,000 rounds of smuggled ammunition through the border crossing at Nogales which is right across from the State of Arizona. At the time of writing the perpetrator has been taken into custody by the Mexican government.

Image: Customs and Border Protection

13,000 Rounds of Smuggled Ammunition Caught at Mexico Border

Anytime you’re talking about bringing ammunition or firearms from one country to another, it is already a hot topic but according to the United States Department of State, it’s an extra touchy subject for the Mexican government. The United States Department of State has the following to say about bringing any sort of arms or ammunition into the country:

The US Department of State warns US citizens against taking any firearm or ammunition into Mexico without prior written authorization from the Mexican authorities. Entering Mexico with a firearm, or even a single round of ammunition carries a penalty. The penalty may be up to five years in prison, even if brought by accident.  In practice, however, for a first offense expect a fine around one-thousand dollars.  Possible confiscation of vehicle and one-year expulsion from our southern neighbor.

Image: Ryan Bavetta

According to local Arizona news source KOVA, it is unknown at this time what charges the United States Citizen who entered the country with the 13,000 smuggled rounds currently faces. The Mexican government has not released any additional information about the perpetrator or his contraband other than the ammunition was “high caliber.”

The smuggled ammunition may have very well made it into the country without incident had the smuggler not crashed into another vehicle when trying to avoid the border checkpoint. Whether this means the smuggler was actively attempting to run the border or simply trying to find a more convenient route around the checkpoint remains to be seen.