Mexican cartels Overpower Police with Ammunition made for the US military
Mexican cartels overpower police with ammunition made for the US military by Ben Dooley, Isabella Cota and Emiliano Rodríguez Mega for the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, analyzes how drug syndicates have used .50-caliber ammunition produced at a plant owned by the U.S. Army and smuggled across the border for attacks on Mexican civilians and police.
The article reports that Mexican cartels have acquired .50-caliber ammunition manufactured at the U.S. Army’s Lake City Army Ammunition Plant in Missouri and have used that ammunition in intense armed engagements with Mexican police and civilians. Investigative review of court records, seizure data, and incident reports shows that rounds from this facility, designed for heavy military use against vehicles and light aircraft, have been found at multiple firefights including a 2019 attack in Villa Unión. In that incident, cartel fighters used heavy weapons and .50-caliber rifles, thereby forcing state police to wait for military support and resulting in dozens of deaths.
Records show that although the U.S. military stocks this ammunition, agreements with private contractors permit it to enter the civilian market. Online retailers listed inventory linked to the plant and law enforcement seizures in U.S. border states show tens of thousands of .50-caliber rounds, many bearing Lake City markings. Cartel access to these rounds has enabled attacks capable of penetrating armored vehicles and downing helicopters, complicating efforts by Mexican authorities. Senior officials from the United States and Mexico have pledged efforts to curb the trafficking of such weaponry, but industry sales and smuggling continue. This article underscores how the presence of powerful ammunition has altered the tactical environment for Mexican law enforcement, raising concerns about arms flows and battlefield dynamics along the border.
Contextual Connection to Other Small Wars Journal Works
Recent Small Wars Journal coverage further illustrates how cartel capabilities continue to expand in ways that shape U.S. strategic debate. How Cartels are Adopting Drone Tactics from Ukraine documents cartel operatives acquiring training and operational knowledge from active conflict zones and applying advanced unmanned aerial tactics to criminal violence in Mexico. This development aligns with growing U.S. political attention to cartel militarization, reflected in discussions of potential land operations and expanded security cooperation with Mexico, including President Trump’s signaling of direct action against cartels.
Related SWJ analyses, such as Using Special Operations Forces to Counter Mexican Cartels: An Irregular Analysis and examinations of potential U.S. military action in Mexico, assess how these evolving capabilities complicate legal authorities, escalation risks, and operational planning. Taken together, these works underscore how cartel access to advanced weapons systems and battlefield techniques is influencing both the threat environment and policy considerations across the U.S.-Mexico security relationship.
