Rio Grande City Agents Seize Assault Rifles, Hand Grenades

Rio Grande City, Texas — U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Rio Grande City Station seized assault rifles and hand grenades that were hidden in the brush near the Rio Grande.

The agents were working Friday near Fronton, Texas, when they noticed a suspicious object protruding from the brush near the banks of the river. Upon closer inspection they found an AK-47 and three M4-style assault rifles hidden within the brush. They also found two hand grenades, a ballistic vest, two ammunition-carrying vests, three two-way radios, two military style uniforms, 16 fully loaded 30-round magazines and various other items.

The weapons and ammunition were transported to the Rio Grande City Border Patrol Station for processing and were later turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations. One of the hand grenades was disposed of at the scene by the McAllen Police Department’s bomb squad, the other one will be turned over to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for further investigation.

“These deadly weapons had the potential to cause serious harm to the residents of this community and to our agents or personnel from other law enforcement agencies,” said Chief Patrol Agent Rosendo Hinojosa. “Thanks to the hard working, diligent agents who found them, communities on both sides of the border are safer.”

To report suspicious activity, call the Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol Sector’s toll-free telephone number at 800-863-9382.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.