FIRST ON FOX: ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents in Laredo, Texas, arrested a father and son accused of smuggling hundreds of firearms, including rifles, magazines, and ammunition into Mexico after Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers discovered hidden compartments in two trailers at the U.S.-Mexico border.
On October 23, CBP officers working at the Laredo Bridge 2 Port of Entry stopped two southbound vehicles towing box trailers for inspection. Agents said they noticed irregularities in the trailer walls, prompting a secondary inspection that revealed the hidden compartments packed with an arsenal of firearms, magazines, and ammunition. The discovery marked one of the most violent days of Operation Midway Blitz, as DHS noted several arrests.
HSI officials confirmed that the firearms are intended to be transported into Mexico, where they could be used by cartels to fuel ongoing violence. The drivers, identified as Emilio Ramirez-Cortez, a lawful permanent resident, and his son Edgar Ramirez-Diaz, a U.S. citizen, were arrested on charges of federal firearms smuggling and turned over to the U.S. Marshals Service pending an initial court appearance. The case underscores the persistent threat of illegal arms trafficking at the U.S.-Mexico border and highlights the ongoing challenges faced by border security agencies in preventing the flow of weapons into Mexico.