us consulate worker in mexico was sentenced to 46 months in prison for smuggling military-style rifles from arizona for a criminal organization which paid him 150 per gun
A United States consulate worker in northern Mexico has been sentenced to almost four years in prison by an Arizona court for smuggling weapons across the border for a criminal organization.
Luis Manuel Bray-Vázquez, a native of Mexico, was sentenced Tuesday to 46 months by Judge Jennifer G. Zipps in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona.
The 35-year-old had been employed as a driver for the U.S. Consulate in the Sonora city of Nogales, the Department of Justice said.
He was attempting to cross into Mexico via the Nogales Port of Entry in a U.S. Consular vehicle on November 4, 2020 when Customs and Border Protection officers tried to conduct a search of the vehicle.
Bray-Vazquez fled from the officers at high speed, but quick-thinking officers were able to close the exit gate to prevent him from entering Mexico.
The border officers searched the consular vehicle and discovered five pistols and 10 rifles, including a Barrett .50 caliber rifle and several AK-47 and AR variant rifles.
Officials said Bray-Vazquez admitted he was being paid to smuggle the firearms into Mexico and that he had successfully done so on previous occasions
According to Univision, Bray-Vázquez told authorities he received $150 for each rifle and $50 for pistols that he smuggled across the border to Mexico.
Luis Manuel Bray-Vázquez, a native of Mexico, was sentenced Tuesday to 46 months by an Arizona federal court for attempting to smuggle five pistols and 10 rifles into Mexico through the Nogales Port of Entry on November 4, 2020. He was using a vehicle assigned to the U.S. Consulate office in Nogales, Mexico, which employed him when he got caught by border agents
A Barrett .50-caliber sniper rifle was among the 15 weapons found by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers during a checkpoint inspection on November 4, 2020 in the trunk of an government vehicle driven by Luis Manuel Bray-Vázquez, who was employed by the U.S. Consulate in Nogales, Mexico
'The trafficking of weapons from the United States into Mexico – especially of the type and quantity smuggled by Bray-Vázquez – has devastating repercussions in both countries,' said Acting United States Attorney Glenn B. McCormick.
He added: .Bray-Vazquez’s prosecution and the length of sentence imposed should serve as a warning that weapons smugglers, including anyone attempting to hide behind the veil of an official position, will pay a heavy price for their crimes.'
Scott Brown, special agent in charge for Homeland Security Investigations Phoenix, said: 'This sentence demonstrates that there are serious consequences for those who lack respect for our nation’s laws or our borders.
'HSI remains committed to combating the illegal smuggling of firearms that fuel violence both domestically and abroad.
'We will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to get dangerous criminals off the streets and locked up behind bars.'
An AK-47 was among the 10 rifles that border agents seized from Luis Manuel Bray-Vázquez on November 4, 2020, after he attempted to smuggle the weapons into Mexico (file image)
Bray-Vázquez told U.S. authorities that he was paid $150 to smuggles rifles like the AR-15 from Arizona to Mexico (file image)
A U.S. federal court in Massachusetts agreed last Friday to hear the Mexican government's lawsuit against 10 gunmakers and distributors located in the United States.
According to the Hartford Courant, the West Hartford, Connecticut-based Colt's Manufacturing was among the companies who were listed in the lawsuit, which was filed by Mexico in early August.
The Mexican government accused the weapons companies of reckless business practices which made it easy for drug cartels to purchase firearms that led to thousands of deaths.
It accused Colt's Manufacturing of having made over 2,000 weapons that has been in criminal activities involving cartels.
Smith & Wesson, Barrett Firearms, Beretta, Glock and Interstate Arms, a wholesaler located in Boston, are also part of the lawsuit.
The Mexican government is reportedly seeking around $10 billion in damages.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation rejected Mexico's claims, arguing that the Mexican government was responsible for 'rampant crime and corruption' inside its borders.
'Mexico's criminal activity is a direct result of the illicit drug trade, human trafficking and organized crime cartels that plague Mexico's citizens,' said Lawrence Keane, NSSF senior vice president and general counsel. 'It is these cartels that criminally misuse firearms illegally imported into Mexico or stolen from the Mexican military and law enforcement. Rather than seeking to scapegoat law-abiding American businesses, Mexican authorities must focus their efforts on bringing the cartels to justice.'
Homicides in Mexico have hit record levels in the past few years, most of them due to death by firearms. The government says most of the arms are trafficked into Mexico illegally.
In its failed attempt to assassinate Mexico City police Wiliam GarcÃa Harfuch on June 26, 2020, Jalisco New Generation Cartel henchmen used three Barrett .50 sniper rifles. The weapon is used by the U.S. military as is powerful enough to knock down a helicopter in flight.
Mexico does have strict laws governing the personal ownership of firearms. Article 10 of the constitution indicates that citizens have to go through a rigorous process to purchase a gun which can only be kept at home for security and can only be employed under legitimate defense.
Unlike U.S. gun laws, Mexico prohibits the ownership of military assault rifles and only one store - which is located at a military base in Mexico City - is permitted to sell guns in the whole country.