WASHINGTON — U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents arrested three Mexican nationals near Presidio, Texas, on June 27 after two were found carrying AK-style rifles and a third admitted to crossing the border with a firearm, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
According to DHS, a U.S. Border Patrol agent encountered the three individuals near Presidio. Two were armed with AK-style assault rifles at the time of encounter, the department said. The third admitted to crossing the border with a firearm and directed agents to the weapon’s location, according to DHS.
According to the department, all three weapons were recovered along with ammunition. Two of the recovered weapons had their serial numbers removed, DHS said. The weapons will be transferred to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, according to the department.
DHS said the three individuals arrested — Edgar Barrios-Najera, Misael Hernandez-Rodriquez, and Braulio Murrillo-Tevarez — were identified as adults from Mexico. All three now face charges of illegal possession of a firearm, according to the department. The three are charged, not convicted.
“These illegal aliens from Mexico illegally crossed the border with assault rifles and ammunition,” Acting Assistant DHS Secretary Lauren Bis said in a statement. “Thanks to the swift work of the U.S. Border Patrol and our partner agencies, these three criminals failed to get into our country and will not be able to threaten the American people. Under President Trump’s leadership, our borders are SECURE.”
According to DHS, multiple agencies provided support to CBP during the arrests, including ATF, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Presidio County Sheriff’s Office, and the Department of War.
Anyone with information about suspicious activity at ports of entry can report it to CBP by calling 1-800-635-2509.
Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security
