Press Release
☷Five Arrested in South Texas for Allegedly Trafficking Military Grade Firearms to Mexican Drug Cartel
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives ( By Press Release office)
Mar 28,2024
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Last week , five people were arrested in Texas for supposedly trafficking military - grade firearms to a drug cartel in Mexico . Court documents reveal that Gerardo Rafael Perez Jr . , also known as Jerry , coordinated the acquisition of over 100 firearms from various sources in Texas , which were then smuggled across the border and delivered to a drug trafficking cartel in Mexico . Perez ' s organization allegedly used straw purchasers , including Francisco Alejandro Benavides , also known as Frankie , and Mark Anthony Trevino Jr . , to obtain the firearms . The organization would acquire guns from unlicensed dealers or federal firearm licensees , with straw purchasers making false representations to secure the weapons . The Justice Department , along with ATF agents and Department prosecutors leading Operation Southbound , consider stopping the trafficking of high - caliber firearms to Mexico a top priority . They aim to disrupt and dismantle drug cartels and bring firearms traffickers to justice . Preventing firearms from reaching the black market , particularly in Mexico , is a key focus for the ATF . The successful arrests were made possible through the efforts of HSI and federal partners to prevent firearms from falling into the hands of transnational criminal organizations that threaten public safety in both countries . Luis Matias Leal , also known as Wicho , Poncho , and El Tio , allegedly provided cash and instructions for the conspiracy , while Antonio Osiel Casarez would smuggle the firearms into Mexico and return to the U . S . with bulk cash . Perez ' s group supposedly got their hands on some serious firepower , like FNH SCAR rifles , Barrett . 50 caliber rifles , FNH M294S rifles , and M1919 rifles . Perez , Casarez , Leal , Benavides , and Trevino were all named in a new indictment filed on March 6 , and were arrested on March 20 . They ' re facing charges for trafficking firearms , straw purchasing , smuggling goods , and more , with potential prison sentences ranging from 5 to 25 years . Co - defendants Mendoza , Ibarra , and Corona were also involved in the scheme , allegedly buying and selling weapons illegally . The investigation is ongoing , led by ATF and HSI . All defendants are innocent until proven guilty in court .
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