Florida Men Smuggle Guns to Mexico Cartel

Two Florida men and their accomplices have been arrested for conspiring to transport destructive devices and machine guns to a Mexican drug trafficking cartel. JAIME JAUREGUI, 34, and CARLOS CABRERA, 42, both of Orlando, Florida, were joined by RUBEN JAUREGUI, 24, and FRANCISCO MALDONADO, 46, both of Dade City, Florida, in the plot.

According to court documents, the men were arrested last Friday after meeting with undercover agents in St. Tammany Parish to negotiate the purchase of more than 100 fully automatic assault rifles, grenade launchers, grenades, and night vision goggles. JAIME JAUREGUI provided a cash deposit of approximately $46,000.00 during the meetings.

The men were charged with conspiracy to transport destructive devices and machine guns in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 371 and 922(a)(4). The charges carry severe penalties, including lengthy prison sentences and hefty fines.

According to Homeland Security Investigations, the men had no federal firearms or export licenses, making their actions even more egregious. The investigation began in January 2012, when agents received information indicating that JAIME JAUREGUI was interested in acquiring items listed on the United States Munitions List to be smuggled to end users in Mexico.

Over the course of a year, JAIME JAUREGUI met with undercover agents on at least four occasions to negotiate the purchase of the illicit items. He hired his accomplices to assist him with transporting the weapons to their final destinations.

The men’s actions have sent shockwaves through law enforcement agencies, who are working to combat the growing threat of gun smuggling to Mexican cartels. The arrests are a significant blow to the cartel’s operations, and law enforcement officials are hailing the investigation as a major success.

The men are currently being held without bail pending their trial. If convicted, they face severe penalties, including lengthy prison sentences and hefty fines. The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of gun smuggling and the importance of robust law enforcement efforts to combat it.

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