Grenades, rocket launcher, thousands of rounds of ammunition seized in Matamoros

In the wake of a major gun seizure in Matamoros by Mexican army troops, American law enforcement officials are optimistic about the safety of those living on the U.S. side of the border.

The seizure took place Wednesday afternoon at the corner of 18th and Madrid streets when patrolling troops with the 10th Motorized Cavalry Regiment, came across an abandoned 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe, according to a press release by the 8th Military Zone stationed in Reynosa.

The vehicle had Tamaulipas license plates and had been reported stolen, the release said.

According to the Mexican army, inside the SUV, soldiers found a cache of weapons, including a shoulder-mounted rocket launcher, eight assault rifles, four handguns, six fragmentation grenades, six anti-personnel grenades, one flash-bang, 140 ammunition clips for handguns and rifles and more than 5,400 rounds.

Troops also recovered nine communication radios and various ammunition and grenade holding slings.

Brownsville police Chief Carlos Garcia said the types of weapons seized are typically used by drug cartel members.

"These types of weapons are used by cartel members. If anyone has information, or sees someone carrying weapons like these, they should call the police, the sheriff's department, or Crime Stoppers," Garcia said. "I think it's great that the Mexican military is making strides in their efforts to keep these weapons off the streets."

The chief said any type of seizure hampers the efforts of drug dealers and helps keeps both Matamoros and Brownsville safe.

Brownsville is a safe city and people should feel at ease, he said.

Garcia said his department is working closely with other law enforcement agencies to make sure that drug-related violence stays off American soil.

Cameron County Sheriff Department Chief Deputy Gus Reyna said Sheriff Omar Lucio has worked with federal state and local agencies to establish a contingency plan to mobilize the necessary manpower to ensure that any surge of border violence stays on the Mexican side.

While details of the plan are not public, Reyna said law enforcement agencies would mobilize resources to support other agencies.

Anyone with information about illegal activities in Mexico is encouraged to contact the Mexican military at (01152899) 9-26-70-92 or at denunciassedena8zm@hotmail.com.

Anyone with information about illegal activities in Brownsville is asked to contact Brownsville Police Crime Stoppers at 546-TIPS (8477) or Cameron County Sheriff's Department Crime Stoppers at 350-5551.