NOGALES, Ariz. (KGUN9-TV) - A trunk full of firepower found in Nogales on Friday. Nogales police seized 10 high-powered assault rifles and 10 boxes of ammunition in the trunk of a vehicle.
The High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program (also known as HIDTA) notified NPD on Friday of a suspicious vehicle in the area that may have weapons hidden inside. They say it was headed towards Mexico.
Police located the vehicle near an apartment complex on the 100 block of N. West St in Nogales. Police canvassed the complex, going door-to-door, before locating the driver of the car - a 16-year-old boy.
"Cartels across the line are trying to recruit the young teenagers to do their transportations," says Officer Oscar Mesta II.
Mesta added that juveniles help with the transportation to make quick money. The demand comes from cartels.
"They do pay a good price for [the weapons]. It is just something that is illegal for them to have in Mexico and of course they come get them in the U.S. and they have people try and smuggle them into Mexico.
After police seized the weapons, they turned over the evidence and investigation to HIDTA.
A representative from HIDTA could not immediately give details into the case, but says this case is part of a very active and ongoing investigation.
