Officers find guns hidden in vehicle at Calexico West Port of Entry

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) says officers at the Calexico Port of Entry seized handguns, magazines and ammunition earlier this month.

According to a press release, it happened on May 9 during an outbound vehicle inspection when officers referred a 35-year-old woman, a U.S. citizen driving a 2014 Honda Accord southbound to Mexico, for secondary inspection.

During the secondary inspection, CBP says officers used a nonintrusive inspection system and a K-9 unit alerted them to the vehicle's rear bumper.

CBP says officers removed 18 packages from the rear bumper as well as six drum magazines from the rear driver-side door, and once they opened the packages, officers found six handguns, 12 magazines and nearly 1,900 rounds of ammunition.

"Thanks to their vigilance and dedication, our officers discovered and seized multiple handguns, magazines and ammunition concealed for illegal transport into Mexico before they could reach criminal organizations," said Calexico Port Director Roque Caza. "Their commitment to border security is vital in disrupting the unlawful flow of weapons and protecting communities on both sides of the border."

Following this, CBP says officers seized the firearms, magazine and ammunition while also arresting the driver, who is facing federal prosecution.