U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Louisville seized a shipment from China that contained over 10,000 assault weapon parts, authorities said Friday.
The seizure of 10,800 parts occured May 22 at the Express Consignment Operations hub in Louisville, according to a CBP news release sent out Friday.
The parcel arrived from Shenzhen, China, and was headed to a residence in Melbourne, Florida, according to CBP.
It contained 100 steel pin samples, which federal CBP officials said is a common practice that smugglers use to disguise contraband as a “harmless or a legitimate commodity in hopes of eluding further examination.”
Only a licensed importer, dealer or manufacturer can import weapons or ammuntion into the country, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives regulates that activity, according to the news release.
H“The importing of any type of munitions is regulated by the ATF,” said Louisville Port Director Thomas Mahn in the release. “This smuggler was knowingly trying to avoid detection, however, our officers remain vigilant, ensuring our community is safe.”
Officers referred the shipment to the CBP Center of Excellence and Expertise, Machinery team, which determined the shipment had a domestic value of $129,600.
Source courier journal