Two Arrested After 30 Handguns, Including ‘Cop-Killer’ Model, Found Hidden in Spare Tire at Texas Border
MISSION, Texas — Authorities arrested two men after discovering 30 handguns concealed inside a spare tire of a pickup truck during a routine inspection at the Texas-Mexico border. The seizure, which included a 5.7-caliber FN Herstal pistol capable of piercing body armor, occurred at the Anzalduas Port of Entry in Mission, Texas, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).
On Wednesday morning, DPS special agents, working alongside U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), conducted a multi-agency inspection of a 2015 Chevrolet pickup truck. During the search, agents uncovered 30 handguns, 60 magazines, and a speed loader hidden inside the vehicle’s spare tire compartment.
Among the firearms was the FN Herstal 5.7-caliber pistol, a weapon often referred to as a “cop-killer” due to its ammunition’s ability to penetrate standard body armor. Further investigation revealed that one of the handguns had been reported stolen from Austin, Texas. Authorities believe the firearms were intended for illegal trafficking into Guanajuato, Mexico, where civilian gun ownership is heavily restricted.
The driver, Luis E. Torres Mujica, 30, a resident of Guanajuato, and his passenger, Jesse Joe Camacho, 28, from McAllen, Texas, were taken into custody. Both face charges of theft of property and firearm smuggling, classified as second-degree felonies under Texas law.
“This seizure highlights the ongoing efforts by state and federal agencies to prevent illegal firearms trafficking across our southern border,” said a DPS spokesperson. The collaboration between DPS, CBP, and HSI underscores the commitment to interagency cooperation in combating cross-border crime.
Firearms smuggling remains a significant concern for law enforcement, as illegal weapons often fuel violence and crime on both sides of the border. Data from the Texas Department of Public Safety shows increased interdiction efforts in recent years, aiming to disrupt these illicit networks.
For more information on firearm regulations and border security, visit the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Department of Homeland Security’s border security page. This incident serves as a reminder of the persistent challenges faced by law enforcement agencies working to secure the nation’s borders and prevent dangerous weapons from reaching criminal elements.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to trace the source and intended recipients of the seized firearms.
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