CBP Seizes Illegal Weapons In Missouri, Texas

Switchblades, Stun Guns Among Weaponry

Houston – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized a cache of prohibited weapons enroute to Missouri City, Texas. The weapons were listed as toys and household items originating in China.

CBP officers targeted the shipment for examination and found small compact boxes packed tightly in the middle of a 40-foot container. The boxes included: three cartons containing 1,063 switchblade knives, two cartons containing 95 batons, three cartons containing 304 stun guns, four cartons containing 388 sets of brass knuckles and one carton with 115 sets of brass knuckles with four-inch knife blades.

“Protecting our borders extends to facilitating legitimate trade that is expected to enter U.S. commerce,” said CBP Director of Houston Field Operations Jeffrey O. Baldwin, Sr. “This seizure illustrates the careful attention to detail our officers pay to ensure shipments are not only safe for entry into the U.S. but also that they comply with federal laws.”

The switchblade knives are a violation of the Switchblade Knife Act, 15 USC 1241-1245 and were subject to forfeiture under 19 USC 1595a(c). The other weapons were seized because the importer failed to declare them as such, while erroneously listing these items as toys and household items.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.