A routine Colorado traffic stop led to the discovery of a staggering 180,000 rounds of ammunition being trafficked by two Mexican nationals, revealing an alarming pipeline of illegal ammunition flowing from Utah that could have armed small armies of cartel operatives.
Quick Takes
- Caesar Ramon Martinez Solis (41) and Humberto Ivan Amador Gavira (24), both Mexican nationals on nonimmigrant visas, were arrested with 180,000 rounds of ammunition after a simple traffic violation in Canon City, Colorado.
- The massive cache included 150 boxes of .308 ammunition and 30 boxes of 7.62 ammunition, each box containing 1,000 rounds – types commonly used in military-style rifles.
- The suspects had reportedly traveled from Denver to Salt Lake City to purchase the ammunition, violating federal laws prohibiting nonimmigrant visa holders from possessing ammunition.
- Federal prosecutors linked the case to Operation Take Back America, “a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration.”
- The case highlights serious vulnerabilities in ammunition sales tracking and enforcement that allow foreign nationals to acquire military-grade ammunition in massive quantities.
Routine Traffic Stop Reveals Massive Ammunition Trafficking Operation
What began as an enforcement of basic traffic laws quickly escalated into one of the largest ammunition seizures in recent memory. On March 26, 2023, law enforcement in Canon City pulled over a van for multiple violations – failing to dim headlights, not using a turn signal, and having a defective license plate lamp. Inside the vehicle were Caesar Ramon Martinez Solis, 41, and Humberto Ivan Amador Gavira, 24, both Mexican nationals who had entered the United States on nonimmigrant visas. What officers discovered in their vehicle sent immediate alarms through federal law enforcement channels.
Detectives searching the vehicle uncovered an arsenal of ammunition that would be sufficient to supply a small war – approximately 150 boxes of .308 caliber ammunition and 30 boxes of 7.62 ammunition. Each box contained 1,000 rounds, bringing the total to 180,000 rounds of military-grade ammunition. The quantity alone raises serious questions about the intended use. Both calibers are commonly used in high-powered rifles often favored by criminal organizations for their range and penetrating power.
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
Cross-Border Ammunition Pipeline Exposed
During interviews with Homeland Security agents, Martinez Solis waived his right to an attorney and provided details that revealed a disturbing cross-border ammunition acquisition operation. According to investigators, Martinez Solis claimed Amador Gavira was his brother-in-law who had entered the U.S. just one day before their arrest. Their story about traveling from Mexico to Denver to purchase a vehicle, then to Salt Lake City to look at another vehicle, quickly fell apart under questioning.
Federal prosecutors characterized the charges as part of “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.”
Martinez Solis ultimately admitted they had actually traveled to Utah specifically to purchase the ammunition from a firearms store in Salt Lake City. While he claimed to be unaware of the ammunition’s intended purpose, he believed it was destined for Pueblo, Colorado – likely just another waypoint in a larger smuggling operation. The fact that foreign nationals on nonimmigrant visas were able to purchase such massive quantities raises serious questions about the enforcement of existing laws prohibiting such transactions.
Part of a Larger Federal Initiative Against Cartel Operations
Both men now face federal charges of Unlawful Possession of Ammunition by an Alien Admitted Under a Nonimmigrant Visa. The case is being pursued as part of Operation Take Back America, a comprehensive federal initiative targeting illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations. The investigation involves multiple 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 case represents a rare glimpse into the sophisticated logistics networks that criminal organizations employ to acquire ammunition and weapons in the United States. While guns often receive more attention in trafficking cases, ammunition represents an equally critical resource for criminal organizations. The fact that two individuals with minimal cover stories could acquire 180,000 rounds highlights alarming gaps in our national security infrastructure. This seizure likely represents just a fraction of the ammunition being trafficked across borders, underscoring the continued threat posed by transnational criminal organizations operating with impunity on American soil.
