A routine traffic stop in Colorado uncovered a massive ammunition trafficking operation as authorities seized 180,000 rounds being transported by two Mexican nationals, revealing alarming connections to potential cross-border weapons smuggling networks.
Quick Takes
- Caesar Ramon Martinez Solis (41) and Humberto Ivan Amador Gavira (24) were arrested with 180,000 rounds of ammunition after a traffic stop for minor violations
- Both suspects were in the U.S. on nonimmigrant visas, which explicitly prohibited them from possessing weapons or ammunition
- The ammunition included 150 boxes of .308 rounds and 30 boxes of 7.62 rounds, each box containing 1,000 rounds
- The case is part of Operation Take Back America, a federal initiative targeting illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations
- Multiple federal agencies are involved in the investigation, including Homeland Security, the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
Massive Ammunition Seizure During Routine Traffic Stop
Two Mexican nationals were arrested in Canon City, Colorado on March 26, 2023, after law enforcement discovered an astonishing cache of ammunition during what began as a routine traffic stop. Caesar Ramon Martinez Solis, 41, and Humberto Ivan Amador Gavira, 24, were initially pulled over for failing to dim their headlights, not using a turn signal, and having a defective license plate lamp. What officers found inside their vehicle, however, quickly transformed the simple traffic violation into a major federal case exposing potential links to international arms trafficking operations that threaten American security.
Upon inspection of the vehicle, law enforcement discovered approximately 150 boxes of .308 ammunition and 30 boxes of 7.62 ammunition, with each box containing 1,000 rounds. The total haul of 180,000 rounds represents a significant seizure that authorities believe was destined for criminal networks. Both calibers are commonly used in military-style rifles and have been frequently documented in cartel-related violence in Mexico, raising serious concerns about the ultimate destination and purpose of this massive ammunition stockpile.
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
Suspects’ Background and Legal Violations
Both Martinez Solis and Amador Gavira were in the United States on nonimmigrant visas, which explicitly prohibit the possession of weapons or ammunition. After their arrest, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents conducted interviews with both suspects. Martinez Solis waived his right to an attorney and spoke with Homeland Security agents, claiming that Amador Gavira is his brother-in-law who had entered the United States just one day before their arrest. This timing raises questions about whether the trip was specifically planned for the purpose of ammunition procurement.
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’s statements to investigators, the pair had traveled from Mexico to Denver purportedly to purchase a vehicle. They then proceeded to Salt Lake City to allegedly look at another vehicle, where Amador Garcia purchased the ammunition from a firearms store. Martinez Solis claimed he was unaware of the ammunition’s intended purpose but believed it was destined for Pueblo, Colorado. Both men have been charged with Unlawful Possession of Ammunition by Alien Admitted Under a Nonimmigrant Visa.
Part of Larger Federal Initiative Against Transnational Crime
Federal prosecutors have characterized this case as a component of Operation Take Back America, described as a nationwide initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations. The investigation is being conducted jointly by the Denver Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations, the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, underscoring the seriousness with which federal authorities view this case.
The scale of this ammunition seizure highlights ongoing concerns about cross-border weapons trafficking between the United States and Mexico. Authorities continue to investigate potential connections to larger criminal networks, particularly given the quantity of ammunition involved and the suspects’ international status. While the suspects claimed the ammunition was destined for Pueblo, Colorado, investigators are working to determine whether it was ultimately bound for Mexico, where such munitions could supply violent cartels engaged in ongoing conflicts within that country and along the border region.
