Sometimes the phrase if at first you don’t succeed, try again, isn’t the greatest idea.
That may be true for Joel Alejandro Garza-Corona, a Mexican citizen born in 1998, who U.S. Customs and Border Protection arrested after finding nearly 2,400 rounds of ammunition hidden inside his vehicle Thursday during a self-admitted first time attempt at smuggling, according to a criminal complaint.
Garza tried to exit the United States at the Anzalduas port of entry in a white Nissan Versa about 3:30 p.m., but CBP officers selected him for an outbound inspection.
That inspection ended with the discovery of 2,399 rounds of assorted ammunition, including 250 rounds of Monarch .45 ACP; 1,249 rounds of Federal 5.7-by-28mm; 100 rounds of 44 Rem Mag; 250 rounds of Remington .38 cal; 300 rounds of Remington .45mm; and 250 rounds of Federal .45mm ammunition hidden in the rear quarter panels inside the vehicle’s trunk, according to the complaint.
During an interview with Homeland Security Investigations special agents, Garza said he bought the ammunition on Monday at the Harlingen Bass Pro Shop and the McAllen Academy Sports and Outdoor Store.
The complaint said Garza told agents it was his first smuggling attempt and that he expected to be paid $200.
Garza made a first appearance Friday morning in McAllen federal court in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Juan F. Alanis, who ordered him temporarily held without bond pending future court proceedings.
