Anthony TX. home raid yields 65,000 rounds of ammo destined for Mexico

Anthony home raid yields 65,000 rounds of ammo destined for Mexico

by Daniel Borunda \ El Paso Timeselpasotimes.com
Posted: 08/02/2012 04:45:45 PM MDT

Federal agents arrested a man and seized 65,000 rounds of ammunition that was allegedly destined for Mexican drug cartels following a raid at a home in Anthony, N.M., officials with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Thursday.

ICE Homeland Security Investigations agents arrested Carlos Guadalupe Morales, 25, after a raid on Tuesday at his apartment in the 900 block of Monroe Avenue.

Officials said agents seized 65,195 rounds of ammunition of various calibers in the apartment.

Morales allegedly told agents that he estimates he shipped 200,000 rounds of ammo to Mexico since 2011. Morales was charged with conspiring to export munitions without a license.

Anthony home raid yields 65,000 rounds of ammo destined for Mexico - El Paso Times

Suspect arrested in Anthony, 65,000 rounds of ammunition seized

By Daniel Borunda \ El Paso Times
Posted:
08/03/2012

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U.S. federal agents seized more than 65,000... (Courtesy U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement)

Federal agents arrested a man and seized 65,000 rounds of ammunition that was allegedly destined for Mexican drug cartels after a raid at a home in Anthony, N.M., officials with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Thursday.

ICE Homeland Security Investigations agents arrested Carlos Guadalupe Morales, 25, on Tuesday at his apartment in the 900 block of Monroe Avenue. Officials said agents found 65,195 rounds of ammunition of various calibers inside.

During questioning, Morales allegedly told agents that he estimated he had shipped 200,000 rounds of ammo to Mexico since late 2011.

Morales was charged in U.S. District Court in Las Cruces with conspiring to export munitions without a license. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Officials said agents seized:

35,100 rounds of .223-caliber rifle ammunition (commonly used in AR-15 rifles).
29,820 rounds of 7.62x39 mm rifle ammunition (commonly used in AK-47 assault rifles).
275 rounds of 9 mm pistol ammunition.
Two ballistic vests.
Three Kevlar military-style helmets.
A 9 mm semi-automatic pistol.

A .22-caliber semi-automatic rifle with no serial number.According to a criminal complaint, Morales bought the ammunition on the Internet and had it delivered to his apartment. After investigators got word that large amounts of ammo were being delivered to Morales, agents subpoenaed records from the Internet business and found that Morales had purchased about 60,000 rounds of rifle ammo last month.Documents state that agents set up surveillance at Morales' apartment and "observed suspicious vehicles coming and going" with activity that appeared to be the loading of ammunition for transport.

On July 17, Homeland Security Investigations agents seized 10,000 rounds of 7.62x39 mm ammo from a vehicle trying to cross into Mexico. The ammo was traced to Morales' apartment, documents stated.

The name of the cartels that Morales is accused of helping were not disclosed.
Morales is scheduled to have a detention hearing before a U.S. magistrate judge at 9:30 a.m. today in Las Cruces.

ICE officials said the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives took part in the investigation.

Suspect arrested in Anthony, 65,000 rounds of ammunition seized - El Paso Times

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newmexican

ICE Homeland Security Investigations agents arrested Carlos Guadalupe Morales, 25, on Tuesday at his apartment in the 900 block of Monroe Avenue.

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I'm still waiting to see how many ICE Agents will be arrested for arresting Carlos Morales ..