Father And Son Plead Guilty To Trying To Smuggle Hundreds Of Weapons Into Mexico

A father and son pleaded guilty to attempting to smuggle hundreds of weapons and a cache of ammunition into Mexico, according to a new report.

The men, Emilio Ramirez Cortes and Edgar Emilio Ramirez Diaz, from Alabama, admitted the charges after being caught while seeking to smuggle more than 500 weapons and over 31,000 rounds of ammo, Border Report noted.

The incident took place as they sought to cross through the Juarez-Lincoln International Bridge in separate vehicles. Both of them were hauling utility trailers that had false walls with the weapons concealed behind them.

Overall, authorities found 534 firearms, 31,482 rounds of ammo, 535 magazines, 40 scopes, four lasers and 10 rifle slings. The men also admitted they smuggled such items in the past. They now face up to 25 years in prison: 15 for trafficking and 10 for smuggling goods from the U.S. The crimes can also land them a $250,000 fine each.

There is abundant evidence about the flow of weapons bought legally in the U.S. to Mexico. The latter's Defense Secretariat said in July of this year that it had located 11 gun smuggling routes from the U.S. to Mexico.

In a report, the entity said it was able to spot the routes as a result of cooperation with the General Prosecutor's Office, and that most of them are used by criminal organizations. Overall, authorities were able to seize almost 6,000 guns between November 2024 and May this year.

The document adds that 43% of the guns seized come from Texas. An additional 22% come from Arizona and 9% from California.

Mexico's Security Minister Omar García Harfuch said earlier this year that 75% of the weapons recovered between February and May came from the U.S., a figure also acknowledged by U.S. officials.

The U.S. Supreme Court blocked in early June a $10 billion lawsuit filed by Mexico against U.S. manufacturers for allegedly helping fuel cartel violence in the country with their business practices. Mexico, in fact, has just one store where people can legally buy guns.

Originally published on Latin Times