Mexican National Charged for Possessing Over 13,000 Rounds of Ammunition
ALBUQUERQUE / Tuesday, September 16, 2025 – A Mexican national is facing federal charges for allegedly possessing almost 14,000 rounds of ammunition found during a routine traffic stop.
According to court documents, on August 14, 2025, an officer from Las Cruces Metro Narcotics conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Luis Carlos Martinez Monge, a Mexican national, for speeding, and found 699 boxes of ammunition concealed within the vehicle. Monge admitted to transporting the ammunition for an acquaintance, receiving $1,600 for expenses and agreeing to an additional $200 per box. He acknowledged that, as a nonimmigrant tourist, transporting ammunition was unlawful and that he hid the boxes. A total of 13,980 rounds, a vehicle, and $1,340 were seized.
Monge is charged with being an alien in possession of ammunition and will remain in custody pending trial, which has not yet been scheduled. If convicted, Monge faces up to 15 years’ imprisonment.
Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Jason T. Stevens, Special Agent in Charge of HSI El Paso, made the announcement today.
Homeland Security Investigations El Paso investigated this case with assistance from Las Cruces Metro Narcotics and the Las Cruces Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Saltman is prosecuting the case.
View the Criminal Complaint (Monge).pdf
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Source: U.S. Attorney's Office, District of New Mexico
