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Pharr, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working outbound enforcement operations at the Pharr/Reynosa International Bridge seized gun powder, pistol primers, bullet reloads and two rifle barrels yesterday afternoon.

On March 5, 2009 at 4:15 p.m., CBP officers working outbound enforcement operations at the Pharr/Reynosa International Bridge came in contact with a Mexican registered outbound commercial tractor-trailer as it attempted to exit the United States to enter Mexico.

CBP officers referred the tractor-trailer and driver to secondary for an intensive examination. In secondary, officers found hidden in the vehicle’s sleeper cab, 19 bottles of gun powder, 9,000 pistol primers, 1,100 bullet reloads and two rifle barrels.

The driver, identified as Jose Jesus Miramontes Duarte, a Mexican citizen, age 58 from Guanajuato, Mexico was arrested under Federal law for violation of unlicensed export of items in the U.S. munitions list. After his arrest, Miramontes Duarte was transferred to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agents who continue to investigate the seizure. CBP officers seized the merchandise and the tractor-trailer.

Michael R. DeBruhl, CBP acting port director, Hidalgo/Pharr said, “I commend my officers for a job well done. This seizure is an example of some of the items our officers have seized during our outbound enforcement operations.”

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.