Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, June 18, 2026 – A Houston-bound passenger was ordered held in pretrial detention after Guardia Nacional officers allegedly found a firearm magazine and 15 cartridges during screening at Puerto Vallarta International Airport.
The passenger, identified in public case details as Chase “N,” was accused of possession of cartridges for a firearm reserved for Mexico’s Armed Forces.
Federal prosecutors in Jalisco handled the case through the Fiscalía Especializada de Control Regional. A judge issued a binding-over order, which means the criminal case can move forward while the investigation continues.
Case handled in federal court
The reported inspection happened before a flight from Puerto Vallarta to Houston at Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport, the city’s main air terminal.
The case summary says officers found the magazine, 15 cartridges, and a passport among the passenger’s belongings. It did not identify the airline, the cartridge caliber, or the date of the initial detention.
Chase “N” was sent to the Puente Grande penitentiary complex while the federal case continues.
There was no public indication that the case caused delays, a terminal closure, or disruption to other flights. PVDN’s Puerto Vallarta airport coverage follows route changes, security issues, and travel updates affecting local readers.
A reminder for U.S.-bound travelers
For residents and frequent visitors, the case is a useful reminder before flying out of PVR. Ammunition that may be legal to transport under some U.S. rules can create serious legal problems in Mexico.
The U.S. Department of State warns travelers that firearms and ammunition cannot be brought into Mexico without proper Mexican permits. U.S. firearms licenses do not apply in Mexico, according to the department’s Mexico travel advisory.
Mexico’s Federal Firearms and Explosives Law also includes penalties for unauthorized possession, carrying, or transport of certain cartridges, magazines, and related firearm materials.
Many passengers reuse backpacks, range bags, purses, and jacket pockets from travel in the United States. A forgotten cartridge can become a federal criminal case once it reaches a Mexican airport checkpoint.
PVDN reported a similar Puerto Vallarta airport ammunition case last year. In that case, authorities also said cartridges were found before a U.S.-bound trip.
