Mexican national jailed for allegedly smuggling ammunition

BROWNSVILLE -- A 21-year-old Mexican national remained jailed Friday on allegations he tried to smuggle thousands of rounds of ammunition from the United States into Mexico.

Mario Martinez-Bernache is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday at a hearing that will address smuggling charges filed against him by the U.S. government.

Martinez –Bernache admitted that he was getting paid $100 to smuggle the ammunition into Mexico, federal documents state. He remains in federal custody without bond.

Authorities report that Martinez-Bernache was arrested Wednesday at the Gateway International Bridge in Brownsville after he attempted to smuggle 4,000 cartridges of .223 caliber ammunition and 1,000 cartridges of 7.62 caliber ammunition without a license.

This type of ammunition is commonly used in high-powered assault rifles, authorities said.

According to a federal complaint filed against him, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers stopped a Ford Excursion van Martinez-Bernache was driving as he tried to cross the international bridge.

Martinez-Bernache was referred to a secondary inspection area, where the officers found the ammunition concealed underneath the rear seat of the vehicle.

According to the complaint, Martinez-Bernache admitted he helped place the boxes of ammunition in the van and also said he was being paid to cross the vehicle into Mexico and “was aware there was some sort of contraband in the vehicle.”

Martinez-Bernache also stated he was aware it was illegal to export ammunition across the country with a license to export such contraband.