Two Mexican Nationals Arrested in Colorado with 180,000 Rounds of Ammunition

Two Mexican nationals in the U.S. on nonimmigrant visas were arrested during a traffic stop in Colorado last month while transporting 180,000 rounds of ammunition, authorities announced Wednesday. CAESAR RAMON MARTINEZ SOLIS, 41, and HUMBERTO IVAN AMADOR GAVIRA, 24, were pulled over in Canon City on March 26, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office – District of Colorado.

The arrest occurred after two Fremont County detectives observed a white Chevrolet van failing to dim its headlights, a violation of state law, as reported in an arrest affidavit obtained by the Canon City Daily Record. The van also failed to signal when turning into a gas station and had a defective license plate lamp. During the stop, detectives discovered approximately 150 boxes of .308 ammunition and 30 boxes of 7.62 ammunition, each labeled as containing 1,000 rounds.

MARTINEZ SOLIS agreed to speak with U.S. Department of Homeland Security special agents and waived his right to an attorney. He stated that he and AMADOR GAVIRA, whom he claimed was his brother-in-law, had traveled from Mexico to Denver a day earlier to purchase a vehicle before driving to Salt Lake City to inspect another vehicle. In Salt Lake City, the men stopped at a firearms and ammunition store, where AMADOR GAVIRA purchased the ammunition.

MARTINEZ SOLIS told authorities he was unaware of the ammunition’s intended use but believed it was destined for Pueblo, Colorado, located about 113 miles south of Denver. The intended destination was reportedly stored on AMADOR GAVIRA’s phone, though authorities did not disclose further details.

Both individuals were charged with Unlawful Possession of Ammunition by Alien Admitted Under a Nonimmigrant Visa. The case is being investigated by the Denver Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations, the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, and the Denver Field Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

This arrest is part of Operation Take Back America, a federal initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration and dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations.

**Sources:**
[Canon City Daily Record](https://www.canoncitydailyrecord.com)
[U.S. Attorney’s Office – District of Colorado](https://www.justice.gov/usao-co)