Thread: DEA refuses to hand over weapons to ATF

DEA refuses to hand over weapons to ATF


Posted: May 20, 2011 10:49 PM PDT
Updated: May 20, 2011 10:49 PM PDT
Posted by Christopher Francis

By Lisa Leigh Kelly, KPHO-TV/Phoenix

PHOENIX (KOLD/KPHO) - A gunrunning sting that came under scrutiny following the death of a Border Patrol Agent south of Tucson is causing a rift between government agencies.

The Drug Enforcement Agency is refusing to turn over a stash of assault rifles seized during a bust in Phoenix last month. This was after finding out at least one of those guns were part of that sting, orchestrated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

It was known as the "Fast and Furious" program -- where the ATF allowed its own assault weapons to be sold on the streets, in the hopes of tracking them as they passed through the hands of straw buyers and middle-men. The idea was to gain intelligence, and take down a big-time Mexican cartel.

Even some of the most experienced agents inside ATF were uncomfortable with the idea -- especially after hundreds of the rifles disappeared.

Then in December, some of the ATF guns were found in the hands of the bandits who opened fire on Border Patrol agents in Southern Arizona. Agent Brian Terry was killed in the shootout, and the "Fast and Furious" program was publicly exposed.

Until then, not even the DEA knew about the gun operation. Now, sources tell CBS 5 News in Phoenix the DEA is refusing to turn over the cache of weapons from the bust to the ATF.

But the ATF dismisses any tug of war with the DEA, saying, "We play well together."

The entire operation is under fire - the Justice Department says, the Inspector General is investigating.

Congress wants answers, too. Sources said a gun store in Glendale -- the Lone Wolf Trading Company -- cooperated with the ATF and sold weapons to suspects. The store told us every employee is, "Under a congressional subpoena," and unable to comment.

http://www.kold.com/story/14689536/dea- ... ons-to-atf

Moving from Other Topics to News.

We know the ATF will destroy the evidence as quick as they can.