TIJUANA-- Mexican customs agents detained a man who was attempting to smuggle 500 .223 mm live rounds into the country. The attempt occurred on Tuesday through the southbound border crossing although Mexico's federal government announced it Thursday.

According to the announcement, a young man entered through Puerta Mexico, located at the San Ysidro crossing, through a lane marked "Nothing to declare." All southbound motorists must pass through a traffic light that randomly changes between green, which allows entry into the country, or red, which means their vehicle must be inspected.

The man got a red light and was sent to the nearby inspection area.

Inspectors found 500 rounds inside five clear plastic bags. The driver, who was not identified, and the vehicle, registered in California, were turned over to federal authorities for further investigation.

During President Felipe Calderon's six-year administration, set to end in December, nearly 500,000 rounds have been seized, according to the the federal government.

Mexican authorities have complained for years that high-powered weapons and ammunition are being bought in the Unites States and smuggled into Mexico, where they are used by organized criminals to carry out their brutal business.

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