Thousands of rounds of ammunition were found hidden in the air
filters of three cars that were recently scheduled to be shipped to Mongolia
from the Port of Oakland, federal authorities revealed Feb. 7.
US Customs agents seized about 2,300 rounds of ammo after
authorities making an enforcement exam on an outbound shipping container at the
port in early December noticed discrepancies.
While searching the three cars in the container, high-power rifle
and shotgun rounds were found, Customs & Border Protection field office spokesman
Frank Falcon said. The container was then taken to a secure location and
unloaded.
When the vehicles – a 2006 Lexus RX400, 2006 Toyota Land
Cruiser and 2007 Toyota Camry – were disassembled, more ammo was found in the
air filters, Falcon said. The undeclared ammunition included a Winchester
.22-caliber long rifle and Remington 12-gauge shotgun shells.
The ammo and three cars are valued together at more than
$45,000, according to Customs.
Officials said the investigation has determined that the
smuggling attempt was likely that of an individual acting alone, not an act of
organized crime.
Authorities say the vehicles are registered to an area
resident, but would not reveal his name because no charges have been filed in
the case, and no arrests made.
“The penalty was the resident had to forfeit the items,”
Falcon said.
