see also: in December 2008:   CBP Lists Top 10 Enforcement Events of 2008   CBP Seizes $200K in Undeclared Currency; Arrest 1 at Texas Port   Marfa Sector Agents Apprehend Murder Suspect   San Ysidro Port Modernization Deployment Temporarily Reduces Lanes   Border Patrol Agents Assist in Locating Distressed Individual   CBP Officers Stop Man at Michigan Border Crossing Wanted for Aggravated Sexual Assault   Holiday Surprise; CBP Unwraps 312 Pounds of Khat in December ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

contacts for this news release

Brownsville, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Brownsville port of entry seize an assault rifle and three fully loaded hand guns and arrested a Florida man.

On December 18, at 6:45 a.m., Customs and Border Protection officers working outbound at the Gateway International Bridge selected a 2004 Ford Excursion for an intensive inspection. CBP officers conducted a routine examination of the driver, and his vehicle. While searching the vehicle, CBP officers discovered Eduardo Medero, 54, a Cuban citizen and resident of Medley, Fla., was exporting an SKS assault rifle and three fully loaded hand guns. The hand guns, a 9mm Berretta, 25-caliber Beretta and a 9mm Smith & Wesson were all within reach of Medero and the assault rifle was in a rifle case under bags of clothing in the back seat of the Ford Excursion. Along with the weapons Medero also had a rifle scope, 222 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 52 rounds of .25-caliber ammunition and numerous holsters hidden within the Ford.

The driver was subsequently arrested by CBP officers and turned over to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agents who investigated the seizure and processed the driver on federal gun charges.

“Our CBP officers risk their lives everyday to secure our border. Weapons being smuggled out of the country could be detrimental to our neighbors to the south,” said Michael Freeman, CBP port director for the Brownsville port of entry. “What a good example of the meticulous work our officers do, excellent job.”

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.