ROSWELL, N.M. (December 7, 2012)--Authorities in Roswell, N.M. say they're puzzled after a worker at an Albertsons store opened a case of frozen ribs Wednesday and found a handgun and ammunition packed with the meat.

Roswell police Sgt. Jim Preston told Albuquerque television station KRQE it would be speculation to say how it got there.

Authorities do have some clues, however.

A police report shows that the meat came from the Swift Packing Plant in Greeley, Colo., and is marked with the date June 8, 2011.

Greeley police say they're reviewing cases to see if the gun was used in any crimes.

Authorities say the semi-automatic Rock Island Armory .38 Super had not been reported stolen.

A firearms trace could take weeks.