Grenade launcher, assault rifles found near Rio Grande

U.S. Border Patrol agents seized a grenade launcher, assault rifles and hundreds of rounds of ammunition near the Rio Grande.

Agents stationed in Rio Grande City confiscated the arsenal Wednesday in Fronton after spotting a pickup near the river and then drive away.

According to a news release, the agents discovered footprints and found a large duffle bag hidden in the brush.

Inside the bag agents found eight AK-47 assault rifles, two AR-15 assault rifles, two grenades, nearly 350 rounds of ammunition of varying calibers, several 30-round magazines and a 40 mm grenade launcher.

The McAllen Police Department’s Bomb Squad was called to detonate the grenades.

“The seizure of these weapons near the river indicates that weapons smugglers are having a hard time getting their contraband into Mexico via the normal points of entry,” Chief Patrol Agent Rosendo Hinojosa said. “Therefore, they are taking more desperate measures and trying to get them across the river through various other methods.”

The weapons and ammunition were turned over to the ATF.