US task force breaks up an Arizona cross-border arms trafficking ring
It's the latest example of the increasing U.S. response to Mexico’s demands that its northern neighbor do more to stop the flow of weapons from its territory to Mexico's cartels. The post US task force breaks up an Arizona cross-border arms trafficking ring appeared first on Mexico News Daily
In a significant development, a U.S. government task force has dismantled a cross-border arms trafficking ring operating in Arizona. This multi-agency effort, known as the Homeland Security Task Force, resulted in the seizure of 100 weapons and 125,000 rounds of ammunition, leading to the filing of 28 indictments. U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson hailed the operation as a success, vowing that their efforts are far from over.
The investigation began two years ago, and its culmination involved a 24-year-old Phoenix resident, Fernando Daniel Castro, who is accused of orchestrating a multi-level operation. Castro and others allegedly purchased firearms legally and then sold them at a profit to individuals who, with Castro's knowledge, smuggled these weapons into Mexico.
The charges include making "false statements during the purchase of a firearm," a violation of U.S. law. Jason Stevens, the special agent in charge for Homeland Security Investigations in Arizona, emphasized that every illegal firearm and round seized contributes to potential life-saving efforts. The Mexican government has repeatedly urged the U.S. to take stronger action against the flow of weapons to Mexico, where they are often utilized by criminal organizations for illicit activities.
In 2022 alone, an estimated 135,000 firearms were trafficked from the U.S. to Mexico. Johnson's praise for the task force's work, coupled with other recent weapon seizures, underscores his commitment to holding arms traffickers accountable and enhancing the safety of both nations. The investigative journey leading to Castro's indictment stems from earlier operations targeting other defendants.
In February 2025, Emmanual Rabena-Velderrain from Mexico was found guilty after attempting to cross into Mexico with 42 AK-style rifles and 42 7.62×39 magazines. On April 27, 2026, Amairany Guadalupe Armendariz Álvarez, also from Mexico, received a 24-month prison sentence for illegally possessing a firearm. Her admission to entering the U.S. to retrieve three M249 rifles and a Colt pistol further solidifies the threat posed by such trafficking rings.
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