Press Release
☷Gun Trafficker Sentenced for Attempting to Send Firearms to Drug Cartel Members in Mexico
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives ( By Press Release office)
Apr 04,2024
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ATF Director Steven Dettelbach emphasized that firearms trafficking has serious consequences and can end up arming dangerous criminal organizations . The ATF will continue to collaborate with other agencies to prosecute gun traffickers and prevent firearms from reaching the hands of transnational criminal groups . Yuendry Rodriguez Hilario , a 29 - year - old from Cleveland , was given a sentence of 13 years and four months in prison for participating in a scheme to traffic firearms , having firearms to aid in drug trafficking , and engaging in money laundering . His co - conspirator , Saleh Yusuf Saleh , a 24 - year - old also from Cleveland , received a sentence of five years and eight months on Nov . 30 , 2023 . The two were arrested in Cleveland on March 2 , 2023 , with Rodriguez Hilario being held in custody . He pleaded guilty on Nov . 13 , 2023 . According to court documents , Rodriguez Hilario and his associates were involved in selling numerous firearms , including AR - 15s and grenade launchers , to undercover agents posing as Mexican cartel members . The group also discussed selling drugs such as cocaine and fentanyl . The investigation revealed that at least 90 rifles and a machine gun were sold to undercover agents in Florida and Cleveland . Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco stated that combating firearms trafficking to the Mexican cartels is a top priority for the Department of Justice . The lengthy sentence given in this case reflects the seriousness of the crime and the hard work of ATF agents and law enforcement partners in keeping dangerous firearms away from the cartels and bringing the traffickers to justice . In one instance , an undercover agent mentioned to Rodriguez Hilario that his associates in Mexico needed more firearms due to ongoing conflicts . On March 2 , 2023 , Rodriguez Hilario set up a deal to deliver 40 AM - 15 guns to some undercover agents . Saleh , who put together the parts for the guns , showed up at the meeting with Rodriguez Hilario and the agents . When one of the agents checked out a box of guns , both Rodriguez Hilario and Saleh got busted . These guns were from sales that happened on October 21 , 2021 , March 10 , 2022 , and May 26 , 2022 . The ATF Tampa and Columbus Field Divisions looked into the case . Assistant U . S . Attorney Dan Baeza prosecuted the case . This is part of a program called the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces ( OCDETF ) Strike Force Initiative , where different agencies team up to take down big - time drug dealers , money launderers , gangs , and international criminals . The OCDETF Panama Express Strike Force specifically focuses on stopping international criminal organizations involved in major drug trafficking and money laundering . It includes agents from the Coast Guard Investigative Service , Drug Enforcement Administration , FBI , and Homeland Security Investigations . The Cleveland Police Department , Ohio State Highway Patrol , Ohio Adult Parole Authority , and Great Lakes Air and Marine Branch of U . S . Customs and Border Protection also helped out . Columbus Field Division .
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