Border Patrol and Sheriff’s Office seize stolen weapons

Law enforcement agencies seized stolen weapons in El Centro, CA. Photo:
El Centro Sector Border Patrol

Calexco, CA–El Centro Sector Border Patrol Special Operations Detachment (SOD) and Imperial County Sheriff’s Office executed several search warrants for stolen weapons that led to the arrest of two men and a seizure of multiple dangerous weapons, ammunition, and gun magazines.

On April 29, the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office (ICSO) initiated an investigation regarding stolen firearms and ammunition from Yuma, Arizona. The investigation was conducted in collaboration with the Yuma Police Department and El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents.
El Centro Sector Border Patrol SOD was contacted to assist the ICSO with the execution of numerous search warrants in Calexico in regards to the investigation.
Upon the execution of the search warrants, agents successfully recovered 11 firearms, including a .50 caliber rifle and a short-barreled shotgun. Agents also recovered large amounts of military-grade ammunition and several high capacity magazines.

A 34-year-old man and a 36-year-old man were arrested as a result of the searches. Both men are Mexican nationals that reside legally in Calexico.
“The ICSO and USBP teams did a fantastic job bringing two foreign nationals into custody,” said El Centro Chief Patrol Agent Gregory Bovino. “Anytime heavy weapons are involved the anxiety levels go up, however the Sheriffs and Border Patrol teams are trained and very capable.”

Both men were placed under arrest and booked into Imperial County Jail pending criminal charges.