A DROP IN THE BUCKET

This event in now way backs up the false claim that the drug cartels get most of their weapons from the U.S. In this instance, the guns acquired from a crooked gun dealer by straw buyers are a mere drop in the bucket of drug cartel weaponry. And if you had 100 cases like this, the number of guns would still be no more than a drop in the bucket.

‘SHOCKED AND SADDENED’
by Rene Romo, Journal Southern Bureau

Borderland Beat
March 11, 2011

Residents of this southern New Mexico border town are no strangers to the issues of drug smuggling and gun running.

But they were shocked when federal agents, with helicopters hovering overhead, swarmed into town before sunup Thursday to arrest 10 people in an alleged weapons smuggling ring that sent firearms into Mexico.

Village Mayor Eddie Espinoza, 51, Police Chief Angelo Vega, 40, and Trustee Blas "Woody" Gutierrez, the 30-year-old son of the mayor pro tempore, were among those taken into custody on charges outlined in an 84-count indictment released by U.S. Attorney Kenneth Gonzales.

The firearms bought by the group are favored by Mexican drug cartels, the indictment states. The weapons included American Tactical 9 mm handguns and AK-47-type pistols, which resemble AK-47 rifles but have shorter barrels and lack rear stocks.

News of the arrests by agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives stunned people in this town of about 2,500 residents located three miles north of the Mexican border.

The helicopters were in place to watch for anyone trying to escape the dragnet, a former town official said.

"Shocked and saddened," said village Trustee William "Bud" Canfield, describing his reaction to the arrests conveyed by Luna County Sheriff Raymond Cobos during a hastily called meeting. "We've got a nice little town here, and I'd like it to stay that way."

Former Mayor Martha Skinner said: "What I am is kind of flabbergasted. I can't quite believe it yet, I just can't."

The indictment alleges that between January 2010 and this month, the defendants joined in a conspiracy to buy firearms in the U.S. for illegal export to Mexico.

During the 14-month period, the defendants allegedly acquired about 200 firearms from Chaparral Guns in Chaparral, a rural community that abuts the Texas state line and straddles the boundary between Otero and Doña Ana counties. Chaparral Guns is owned by defendant Ian Garland, 50, of Chaparral, who is charged with conspiracy, making false statements and firearms smuggling.

The defendants bought or acquired firearms from Chaparral Guns by falsely claiming they were the actual purchasers, when they were really acting as "straw purchasers" buying the firearms on behalf of others, the indictment alleges. The indictment doesn't state who in Mexico acquired the weapons.

Twelve firearms previously bought by the defendants were later discovered in Mexico and traced back to the accused, the indictment says.

"Gutierrez, Espinoza and Vega were duty sworn to protect and safeguard the people of Columbus, New Mexico," said Gonzales in a prepared statement. "Instead, they increased the risk of harm that the people of Columbus face every day by allegedly using their official positions to facilitate and safeguard the operations of a smuggling ring that was exporting firearms to Mexico."

During the course of the investigation, federal agents seized 40 pistols, 1,580 rounds of ammunition and 30 high-capacity magazines from the defendants before they crossed the Mexican border.

According to the indictment, Blas Gutierrez, son of fellow Trustee and Mayor pro tem Roberto Gutierrez, bought or was present with the buyer of more than 100 firearms. Blas Gutierrez was charged with one count of conspiracy, 17 counts of making false statements and 19 counts of firearms smuggling.

Vega, who became the town's seventh chief in four years when the mayor hired him in early 2009, is accused of lying to federal authorities on Blas Gutierrez's behalf, running interference for the mayor, and buying thousands of dollars worth of tactical combat gear, including body armor, that he allegedly knew would be smuggled to Mexico.

On Oct. 8, in Columbus, Mayor Espinoza allegedly drove his vehicle "in an attempt to block-in federal agents" riding through the town, the indictment says. A short time later, Vega, at Espinoza's request, stopped the federal agents to question them about their activities.

Espinoza is charged with seven counts, including conspiracy, three counts of making false statements in the purchase of firearms, and three counts of firearms smuggling.

Conviction on the conspiracy charge, which all accused are facing, could result in a prison sentence of five years and a $250,000 fine. They will make their first appearance in federal court today in Las Cruces.

The remaining defendants are Columbus residents Alberto Rivera, 40, Miguel Carrillo, 30, Ricardo Gutierrez, 25, and Vicente Carreon, 26; Las Cruces resident Eva Lucie Gutierrez,21, and 25-year-old Miguel Ortega of Palomas, Mexico.

An eleventh individual targeted by the year-old investigation, 24-year-old Ignacio Villalobos who allegedly requested some of the weapons purchases, was not apprehended and is considered a fugitive.