A man from Chihuahua, Mexico, Luis Carlos Martinez-Chacon, was sentenced to 24 months in prison after pleading guilty to one count of Smuggling Goods from the United States.
Martinez-Chacon’s sentenced is to be followed by 12 months of supervised release.
According to the Department of Justice, on June 29, 2022, Martinez-Chacon attempted to exit the United States and enter the Republic of Mexico at the DeConcini Port of Entry in Nogales, Arizona. During a search of his vehicle, Customs and Border Protection officers found a 9mm Berretta pistol, a 9mm Glock 19 pistol, an FN57 rifle with a filed off serial number, a .45 caliber Colt M 1911, a Smith and Wesson 629 Classic .44 Magnum, a Magpul magazine (17 round capacity), two Berretta magazines (15 round capacity each), two FN57 magazines (20 round capacity each), two Colt 1911 magazines (seven round capacity each), 960 rounds of .223 Wolf ammunition, 880 rounds of .223 TUL ammunition, and six rounds of .45 caliber ammunition. The items were hidden inside the dashboard and center console of the vehicle.
Martinez-Chacon admitted he expected to be paid in exchange for delivering the firearms, magazines, and ammunition to an individual in Mexico.