Tempe man accused of running gun-smuggling ring

by Daniel González - Jan. 7, 2011 01:00 PM
The Arizona Republic

A Tempe resident is accused of running a gun-smuggling ring to illegally export weapons to Mexico, federal authorities said Friday.

Edward Hossa, 54, induced three other suspects to act as "straw purchasers" of firearms with the intention of sending the guns to Mexico, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials.

"Weapons traffickers seek profits built on the bloodshed in Mexico," Matt Allen, special agent in charge of ICE investigations in Arizona, said in a written statement.

Hossa was arrested Thursday,along with three of his conspirators in a joint operation by ICE and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Hossa is facing charges of fraudulently buying firearms from dealers in Glendale, Apache Junction and Mesa from July to November. He is facing charges of attempting to export the weapons to Mexico and with being an unlicensed firearms dealer, ICE officials said.

Luis Gabriel Valenzuela, 36, of Phoenix, Jeremy Ray Hossa, 36, of Tempe, and Lynda Marie Yarrow, 26, of Tempe, are each facing charges of purchasing firearms on behalf of Edward Hossa.

Valenzuela is accused of buying five hand guns in July and November at two different stores in Glendale. Jeremy Ray Hossa is accused of buying four rifles and one handgun in September in Apache Junction. Yarrow is accused of buying to handguns in November in Mesa.

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