Since its creation in 2003, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has conducted criminal export investigations and possessed some of the broadest authorities of any U.S. government agency. ICE investigates cases involving the illegal export of munitions, small arms and weapon sanctions violations. It also has primary jurisdiction over investigations related to smuggling firearms across our borders and other weapons out of the United States.
Illegal weapons smuggling between the U.S. and Mexico threatens the overall safety and security of both countries. Weapons smuggled into Mexico from the United States often end up in the hands of the drug cartels or other smuggling organizations where they can be employed against law enforcement officers and citizens in either country. These firearms continue to fuel violence along the Southwest border and in the interior of Mexico. In response, ICE continues to increase its efforts to combat the illegal movement of firearms and explosives to Mexico by establishing unprecedented bilateral interdictions, conducting joint investigations and sharing information with Mexican authorities.