REFUGIO, Texas — A traffic stop near Refugio has intercepted a large cache of weapons and ammo. Law enforcement believe the arsenal was on its way to Mexico most likely to supply the cartels.
The Refugio County Sheriff's Office made the seizure along Highway 77 about 10 miles north of the city on Wednesday afternoon.
The driver's name has not been released, but authorities say the man is Nicaraguan, a non-U.S. citizen.
The deputy who conducted the traffic stop on the F-250 pickup truck first noticed the driver was acting nervous and gave a story that didn't add up. The driver gave the deputy consent to search the truck.
Upon further inspection, there were multiple AK47s, AR15s, .50 caliber sniper rifles, and pistols in the vehicle. One of the .50 caliber sniper rifles had its serial number scratched out. Many of the weapons were found inside a back toolbox. Authorities say there was also THC oil inside the truck that the driver was reportedly consuming.
There were said to be 32 guns in all, along with cases loaded with ammo.
Sheriff Raul 'Pinky' Gonzales told 3News in the past two months, his deputies have already seized several stolen weapons along this major corridor commonly used by smugglers.
Gonzales credits his deputies for their hard work as they continue to battle organized criminal activity, drug trafficking, and human smuggling.
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