Two Mexican nationals with nonimmigrant visas were arrested in Colorado after a routine traffic stop uncovered a staggering 180,000 rounds of ammunition they had illegally transported from Utah, raising serious concerns about cross-border weapons trafficking and the potential supply chain to dangerous cartels.
Key Takeaways
- Caesar Ramon Martinez Solis, 41, and Humberto Ivan Amador Gavira, 24, were arrested with 180,000 rounds of ammunition after being stopped for minor traffic violations in Canon City, Colorado.
- The suspects had transported 150 boxes of .308 ammunition and 30 boxes of 7.62 ammunition from Salt Lake City to Colorado, violating their nonimmigrant visa status that prohibits possession of weapons or ammunition.
- Both men were charged with Unlawful Possession of Ammunition by Alien Admitted Under a Nonimmigrant Visa as part of Operation Take Back America, a federal initiative targeting illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations.
- The case highlights significant vulnerabilities in domestic security that could enable Mexican cartels to obtain massive quantities of ammunition through seemingly ordinary channels.
- Multiple federal agencies including Homeland Security Investigations, the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives are collaborating on the investigation.
Routine Traffic Stop Leads to Massive Ammunition Seizure
On March 26, 2023, what began as a routine traffic enforcement action in Canon City, Colorado transformed into a major weapons trafficking bust. Law enforcement pulled over a vehicle for failing to dim headlights, not using a turn signal, and having a defective license plate lamp. These minor violations led officers to discover an arsenal of ammunition that could have armed a small military force. The driver, Caesar Ramon Martinez Solis, 41, and his passenger, Humberto Ivan Amador Gavira, 24, were immediately taken into custody when detectives uncovered approximately 180,000 rounds of ammunition in their vehicle.
The ammunition cache consisted of 150 boxes of .308 rounds and 30 boxes of 7.62 rounds, with each box containing 1,000 rounds. This quantity of ammunition would be sufficient to supply multiple criminal organizations for extended operations. The arrest demonstrates how seemingly minor traffic violations can lead to major discoveries in the fight against transnational crime. It also highlights the critical role of local law enforcement agencies as the first line of defense against weapons trafficking operations that could ultimately fuel violence both domestically and across the border.
Mexican nationals found with 180,000 rounds of ammo
Federal charges have been filed against two men from Mexico who were found with 180,000 rounds of ammunition.
Our sister station, Fox 21 in Colorado Springs, reports that Caesar Ramon Martinez Solis, 41, and Humberto Ivan… pic.twitter.com/NgwzTcMRCd
— Deborah (@Deborah07849071) April 20, 2025
Foreign Nationals Operating Under False Pretenses
Both Martinez Solis and Amador Gavira were in the United States on nonimmigrant visas, which explicitly prohibit the possession of firearms or ammunition. After their arrest, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were brought in to conduct interviews with the suspects. During questioning, Martinez Solis waived his right to an attorney and provided statements to Homeland Security agents that raised more questions than answers. He claimed that Amador Gavira was his brother-in-law who had only entered the United States one day before their arrest, a timeline that seems suspiciously convenient for transporting such a massive amount of ammunition.
Federal prosecutors described the case as “a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.”
According to Martinez Solis, they had traveled from Mexico to Denver allegedly to purchase a vehicle, then continued to Salt Lake City purportedly to look at another vehicle. He claimed that while in Salt Lake City, Amador Gavira purchased the ammunition from a firearms store. Martinez Solis stated he was unaware of the ammunition’s intended purpose but believed it was destined for Pueblo, Colorado. These contradictory and vague explanations suggest the men were likely mules in a larger smuggling operation, potentially working to supply Mexican cartels with American ammunition.
Part of Larger Federal Initiative Against Transnational Crime
Federal prosecutors have characterized this case as part of Operation Take Back America, a comprehensive Department of Justice initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration and dismantling transnational criminal organizations. The investigation is being conducted by a coalition of agencies including the Denver Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations, the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. This multi-agency approach demonstrates the seriousness with which authorities are treating the case and the broader threat of weapons trafficking.
As per federal officials, the purpose of Operation Take Back America is “to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations.”
The case highlights a troubling reality: individuals on nonimmigrant visas can apparently purchase massive quantities of ammunition with relative ease. The fact that Amador Gavira was allegedly able to buy 180,000 rounds from a firearms store without raising immediate red flags points to potential gaps in our domestic security infrastructure. As the Trump administration continues to prioritize border security and the fight against transnational criminal organizations, this case serves as a stark reminder of why such initiatives are essential for protecting American communities from violence that originates beyond our borders.
