Feds seize 200 weapons in busted smuggling ring

Posted: Feb 8, 2012 10:16 AM
Updated: Feb 8, 2012 10:16 AM

SAN ANTONIO (AP) Federal authorities say young housewives who bought assault rifles from Texas gun dealers are among nearly two dozen charged in an alleged plot to smuggle firearms into Mexico.

The Department of Justice said Wednesday that more than 200 weapons largely purchased around San Antonio had been seized. Federal agents said the guns were bound for the hands of Mexican drug cartels.

The U.S. Attorney's Office and Homeland Security officials trumpeted the arrests as a "big hit" but were less forthcoming when asked to put the size of the broken-up ring in perspective. They also said the suspects successfully moved three shipments of guns into Mexico before being caught.

Nine defendants have already been sentenced, and more are scheduled to be in court later this month.

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