Federal authorities announced Wednesday that two Mexican nationals were arrested in Colorado after being caught transporting ammunition—roughly 180000 rounds—in what officials suspect may be part of a broader transnational smuggling operation.
The suspects, 41-year-old Caesar Ramon Martinez Solis and 24-year-old Humberto Ivan Amador Gavira, were stopped on March 26 by Fremont County detectives in Cañon City.
The two men, both Mexican citizens legally in the U.S. on temporary visas, were pulled over after their van failed to dim its headlights, did not signal a turn, and had a defective license plate lamp—seemingly minor infractions that led to a major discovery.
During the stop, law enforcement officers found approximately 150 boxes of .308 caliber ammunition and 30 boxes of 7.62mm ammunition. Each box was labeled as containing 1,000 rounds, for a total of roughly 180,000 rounds packed into the white Chevrolet van.
According to an arrest affidavit, Martinez Solis voluntarily spoke to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents and waived his right to legal counsel. He told investigators that he and Amador Gavira—whom he claimed was his brother-in-law—had traveled from Mexico to Denver a day earlier to shop for vehicles.
From there, they drove to Salt Lake City, Utah, where they reportedly stopped at a firearms and ammunition store. It was there, according to Martinez Solis, that Amador Gavira purchased the vast quantity of ammunition.
Martinez Solis claimed he didn’t know what the ammo was for but believed it was ultimately bound for Pueblo, Colorado. Authorities have not confirmed the final destination or clarified what evidence supports that claim, but Martinez Solis said the intended drop-off location was saved on Gavira’s phone.
Both men now face federal charges of Unlawful Possession of Ammunition by an Alien Admitted Under a Nonimmigrant Visa—a serious offense, especially considering the volume of munitions involved.
The case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office. Officials say it falls under the umbrella of Operation Take Back America, a federal initiative aimed at dismantling cartel supply lines and halting the flow of illegal immigration and organized criminal activity across the southern border.
Federal authorities have not ruled out cartel ties in the case and said the investigation remains active.