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Armed assailants in Mexico hijack US-bound trucks carrying 7 million rounds of ammunition | Armed assailants in Mexico hijack US-bound trucks carrying 7 million rounds of ammunition |
(about 1 month later) | |
Two trailers transporting ammunition to the United States were ambushed by armed criminals on a Mexican highway. Most of the ammo is small-caliber and won’t be useful for drug cartels, the manufacturer said. | Two trailers transporting ammunition to the United States were ambushed by armed criminals on a Mexican highway. Most of the ammo is small-caliber and won’t be useful for drug cartels, the manufacturer said. |
The shipment of approximately seven million rounds was intercepted earlier this week on a highway in Guanajuato, a Mexican state plagued by violence stemming from the drugs trade. The drivers of the two trucks were found alive. | The shipment of approximately seven million rounds was intercepted earlier this week on a highway in Guanajuato, a Mexican state plagued by violence stemming from the drugs trade. The drivers of the two trucks were found alive. |
Around 98.5% of the rounds were .22 caliber, a low-powered ammunition that is typically used for target practice or hunting small game. Mexican cartels – known more for their heinous acts of violence than for their hobby squirrel hunting – are usually armed with powerful AK-47 and AR-15 rifles that use high-velocity rounds. | Around 98.5% of the rounds were .22 caliber, a low-powered ammunition that is typically used for target practice or hunting small game. Mexican cartels – known more for their heinous acts of violence than for their hobby squirrel hunting – are usually armed with powerful AK-47 and AR-15 rifles that use high-velocity rounds. |
A spokesperson for the ammunition’s maker, Tecnos Industries, said that the stolen rounds will be of little use to drug cartels, noting that they don’t use .22-caliber weapons. | A spokesperson for the ammunition’s maker, Tecnos Industries, said that the stolen rounds will be of little use to drug cartels, noting that they don’t use .22-caliber weapons. |
But it’s possible that the ammo will still find its way to the black market. In the past, authorities have caught people selling improvised “pen” guns, single-shot weapons disguised as pens that use .22 rounds. | But it’s possible that the ammo will still find its way to the black market. In the past, authorities have caught people selling improvised “pen” guns, single-shot weapons disguised as pens that use .22 rounds. |
It’s not uncommon for weapons and ammunition to move between Mexico and the United States – although most cases involve illicit gun running. Last month, a Texas highway patrol trooper discovered more than a dozen firearms and over 3,500 rounds of ammo after pulling over a suspect who was believed to be heading to Mexico. | It’s not uncommon for weapons and ammunition to move between Mexico and the United States – although most cases involve illicit gun running. Last month, a Texas highway patrol trooper discovered more than a dozen firearms and over 3,500 rounds of ammo after pulling over a suspect who was believed to be heading to Mexico. |
Mexico has been struggling for years to rein in drug cartels. Much of the violence has been blamed on assault weapons smuggled into the country from the United States. | Mexico has been struggling for years to rein in drug cartels. Much of the violence has been blamed on assault weapons smuggled into the country from the United States. |
Like this story? Share it with a friend! | Like this story? Share it with a friend! |