A man has been arrested for attempting to smuggle multiple firearms, magazines and firearm parts into Mexico, according to an arrest affidavit.

The case unfolded at about 9:25 p.m. March 6, when U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers conducting outbound operations at the Juarez-Lincoln International Bridge inspected a white Chevrolet Cheyenne bearing Mexican license plates.

CBP officers identified the driver as Jesus Hiram Salazar-Salazar, a Mexican citizen. He was traveling along with his family. Salazar-Salazar allegedly gave a negative declaration for weapons, weapons parts, ammo and more than $10,000 in cash.

Salazar-Salazar, who claimed to be the owner of the vehicle, stated he was on his way to Nuevo Leon, Mexico from Houston. CBP officers referred the vehicle to secondary inspection, where an inspection of two cardboard boxes using X-rays revealed anomalies. CBP officers then discovered firearms, various caliber magazines and firearm components.

Homeland Security Investigations responded to investigate the smuggling attempt. But Salazar-Salazar invoked his right to an attorney. CBP officers seized the following items from the boxes:

  Heckler & Koch MP5 .22 caliber rifle.

  Sig Sauer P320 9mm handgun.

  Sig Sauer P238 .380 caliber handgun.

  Sig Sauer P320 9mm handgun.

  Sig Sauer P365 9mm handgun.

  CZ P-10 C 9mm handgun.

  x Trigicon REAP-IR Thermal Scope.

Salazar-Salazar was charged with export or attempt to export multiple rifles, multiple handguns, multiple magazines and multiple weapon parts.

César G. Rodriguez is a reporter for the Laredo Morning Times.