U.S. Border Patrol Indio agents seize cache of weapons, ammunition

INDIO, Calif. - During a traffic stop, U.S. Border Patrol agents from the El Centro Sector seized a cache of weapons, magazines, and ammunition hidden within a vehicle.<_o3a_p>

Late in the evening on July 1, Indio Station agents conducted a vehicle stop on Interstate 10 in Chiriaco Summit. After a Border Patrol K-9 team trained in detection alerted to the vehicle, a search revealed weapons and ammunition concealed in two duffle bags, one in the vehicle's trunk and one in the vehicle's backseat.

During a traffic stop, U.S. Border Patrol agents from the El Centro Sector seized a cache of weapons, magazines, and ammunition hidden within a vehicle.

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Upon further inspection, it was determined the duffle bags contained 28 rifles, one handgun, 30 high-capacity magazines, and 2,210 rounds of ammunition of various calibers. Agents arrested the driver, an adult male United States citizen. The man, weapons, and vehicle were turned over to a local law enforcement task force. <_o3a_p>

"Smugglers are all cut from the same dirty cloth. They'll do anything for profit, including trafficking children, drugs, or in this case, weapons headed to Mexico," said El Centro Sector Chief Patrol Agent, Gregory Bovino. "Conversely, our agents are forged differently - winners, ready to take it to criminals anywhere, anytime, anyplace, as this excellent arrest indicates."<_o3a_p>

The seizure is the result of Operation Apollo, a holistic counter-fentanyl effort that began on October 26, 2023, in Southern California and expanded to Arizona on April 10, 2024. Operation Apollo focuses on intelligence collection and partnerships and utilizes local Customs and Border Protection field assets augmented by federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial partners to boost resources, increase collaboration, and target the smuggling of fentanyl into the United States. <_o3a_p>

Please visit www.cbp.gov to view additional news releases and other information pertaining to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Follow the USBP El Centro Sector on X (formerly Twitter) @USBPChiefELC, on Facebook U.S. Border Patrol El Centro Sector, and on Instagram @USBPChiefELC.<_o3a_p>

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is America's frontline: the nation's largest law enforcement organization and the world's first unified border management agency. The 65,000+ men and women of CBP protect America on the ground, in the air, and on the seas. We facilitate safe, lawful travel and trade and ensure our country's economic prosperity. We enhance the nation's security through innovation, intelligence, collaboration, and trust.