U.S. Customs seizes over 50 weapons so far this year

NEWS RELEASE

U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION

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DETROIT — The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Detroit Field Office is reporting fifty-two seizures of weapons and/or weapon accessories during the current fiscal year at ports of entry in Michigan.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers working at ports of entry in Michigan have conducted fifty-two seizures of weapons, accessories and fireworks since October 1, 2010. Included in these seizures were 118 items consisting of 26 pistols/revolvers, 4 shotguns, 3 rifles, 15 stun guns, one knife, various magazines, speed loaders and types of ammunition and illegal fireworks.

A break down by location shows the CBP officers in Detroit conducted 43 seizures, Port Huron 7, Detroit Metro Airport 3 (stun guns) and Sault Sainte Marie one. The majority of these seizures consisted of several items to include the guns and ammo.

“It is not uncommon for our CBP officers to encounter people legally transporting weapons across the border for legitimate recreational purposes,” stated Christopher Perry, Director Field Operations, Detroit Field Office. “However, as these seizures show, our officers also encounter individuals who are not legally transporting weapons from stun guns at the airport to pistols and rifles at the land border. The fact that all of these seizures were done without any incidents of someone being injured shows the efficiency and effectiveness of our officers.”

About U.S. CBP

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry.

CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

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