Laredo, Texas — US authorities have seized 800 firearms and 78,000 rounds of ammunition at eight Texas border crossings so far in 2026, already surpassing the 500 guns and 54,000 rounds confiscated during all of fiscal year 2025, officials said.
The weapons range from military-grade Barrett .50-caliber rifles capable of piercing armor to gold-plated pistols engraved with images of Saint Jude, the Mexican flag, and even the surname “Trump.” Homemade guns crudely fashioned from steel tubes are also common.
“It’s not just common weapons,” said Marco Fragoso, a reporter who covered the seizures. The Barrett .50-caliber, nicknamed “Tostón” in Mexico for its caliber, is frequently intercepted at the border.
To stem the flow, US authorities have deployed X-ray scanners that can inspect vehicle interiors in seconds, along with canine units trained to detect hidden contraband. But smugglers continue to use sophisticated concealment methods, including hidden compartments in gas tanks and false floors — the same techniques used for drug and cash smuggling.
“The biggest challenge is not just detecting the weapons, but the sheer volume and constant demand,” one official said.
The escalating seizures highlight a high-stakes game of hide-and-seek along the border, where each weapon that slips through risks fueling violence in Mexico.
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