EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) – A federal judge has denied bond to a man who came into the United States with a tourist visa and allegedly was transporting to Mexico almost 14,000 rounds of ammunition for AK-47 rifles.
Luis Carlos Martinez Monge, a citizen of Mexico, is a flight risk and will remain incarcerated pending trial in connection with his Aug. 14 arrest on Interstate 25 in Las Cruces, New Mexico, the judge ruled.
Trailer full of guns and ammo bound for Mexico stopped at border
Martinez was driving a 2007 Dodge Caravan at high speed when Las Cruces police stopped him for speeding. Martinez’s hand was shaking when he handed the police officer his B1/B2 border crossing visa and a driver’s license from Chihuahua, Mexico, court records show.
The officer reported Martinez’s breathing became shallow as he answered routine questions; he allegedly became evasive when asked if he had something to declare. At that point, the officer decided to ask permission to search the Dodge van.
Mexican cartel member stockpiled ammo on border
Martinez allegedly consented to the search and the officer found boxes of ammunition concealed underneath the seats and in a makeshift compartment on the floorboards, court records show…