U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials say weapons and ammunition were seized during an outbound inspection at the Port of Wilmington late last month.
Officials say an x-ray scan on July 26 found anomalies inside large buckets destined for Honduras and labeled on the manifest as “personal effects, toys and household goods.”
A multi-agency team opened the buckets and found a 9mm Beretta handgun, along with three magazines and 247 rounds of 9mm ammo.
The contraband was wrapped in tin foil and coated with a tar-like cement.
It is illegal to export firearms and ammunition without a federal license and permit from the U.S. Department of Commerce or the U.S. Department of State.