Feds bust U.S. gang accused of attempting to smuggle weapons to Sinaloa cartel

Federal prosecutors introduced fees Wednesday in opposition to 5 individuals they are saying had been shopping for weapons within the U.S. and attempting to ship them to the Sinaloa cartel, one in every of Mexico’s main drug and human smuggling syndicates.

Border officers found 17 weapons, most of them AK-47-style rifles, in a cargo headed from Raleigh, North Carolina, to Durango, Mexico, in February. One was an FN M249S rifle, a business model of a military-style mild machine gun that retails for greater than $10,000.

Authorities mentioned Cortney Highsmith and Steven Martinez purchased weapons in January and February, certifying they had been the precise purchasers. They then turned weapons over to Luis Martinez, Steven’s brother and an unlawful immigrant who by legislation is unable to own a firearm.

Luis Martinez then labored with Roberto Martinez and Gilberto Hernandez to attempt to get the weapons into Mexico.

Luis Martinez paid $26,000 to the others, authorities mentioned, and he was engaged on behalf of Mr. Hernandez, whom Luis Martinez believed was affiliated with the Sinaloa cartel, the federal government mentioned in courtroom paperwork.

While weapons are available within the U.S., they’re severely restricted in Mexico. Cartels organize for his or her buy and switch to Mexico.

Under strain from Mexico’s authorities, U.S. authorities have stepped up their efforts to dam shipments.

“The impact of straw purchasing and firearms trafficking is rarely limited to a single community or city,” mentioned Brian Mein, the performing particular agent accountable for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Charlotte, North Carolina. “Those that knowingly put firearms in the hands of violent and dangerous individuals are a threat to all of us.”

Customs and Border Protection officers intercepted the cargo of 17 weapons on Feb. 19 and went trying to find the shippers and the unique purchasers.

They decided that two of the weapons, with obliterated serial numbers, had been purchased by Steven Martinez and the remainder by Mr. Highsmith.

Authorities spoke with Luis and Roberto Martinez in May and with Steven Martinez in June.

Luis Martinez, who was within the U.S. illegally, has since absconded. Prosecutors say they suppose he’s again in Mexico.