Adan Gomez-Lopez, Attempted Ammunition Smuggling, Arizona 2022

Attempted Firearms Trafficking to Mexico Lands Nogales Resident behind Bars

In a significant blow to firearms trafficking in the region, Adan Gomez-Lopez, a 26-year-old resident of Nogales, Mexico, was sentenced to 24 months in prison, followed by 12 months of supervised release, for his role in attempting to smuggle 1,473 rounds of ammunition into Mexico.

On July 1, 2022, Gomez-Lopez attempted to exit the United States and enter the Republic of Mexico at the DeConcini Port of Entry in Nogales, Arizona. During a search of the vehicle, Customs and Border Protection officers found a staggering 510 rounds of .223 caliber ammunition, 103 rounds of .556 caliber ammunition, 600 rounds of 6.5mm ammunition, 350 rounds of 9mm pistol ammunition, 100 rounds of .30 caliber ammunition, 20 rounds of .308 caliber ammunition, and 50 rounds of 12-gauge shotgun ammunition.

The ammunition was cleverly concealed within the vehicle’s quarter panels, speaker box, and non-factory compartments. In a subsequent interview, Gomez-Lopez admitted that he expected payment in exchange for delivering the ammunition to an individual in Mexico.

This case is a testament to the tireless efforts of law enforcement agencies in detecting and disrupting firearms trafficking operations. The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, with Assistant United States Attorney Brandon M. Bolling of the District of Arizona, Tucson, handling the prosecution.

The case number for this incident is CR-22-01544-TUC-JCH (BGM), and the release number is 2023-025_Gomez-Lopez. For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/. Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.

Photo: Customs and Border Protection officers searching a vehicle at the DeConcini Port of Entry in Nogales, Arizona.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, remains committed to combating firearms trafficking and ensuring the safety of our communities. This sentence serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of engaging in such illicit activities.

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