TUCSON, Ariz. – In a shocking turn of events, Adrian Guadalupe Valdez, 45, of Wendel, Idaho, was sentenced to 42 months in prison for smuggling ammunition from the United States into Mexico.
According to court records, on April 1, 2022, Valdez attempted to drive a vehicle from the United States into Mexico through the Nogales Port of Entry. Customs and Border Protection Officers (CBPOs) stopped the vehicle for an outbound inspection, at which point Valdez ran from the vehicle in an attempt to flee into Mexico.
Officers were able to stop and apprehend Valdez. During an inspection of the vehicle, CBPOs found a total of 17,500 rounds of 7.62x39mm and .223 caliber ammunition in the trunk.
The smuggling operation was conducted by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Angela W. Woolridge handled the prosecution.
Valdez was charged with Smuggling of Goods from the United States and pleaded guilty to the offense. The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge Scott H. Rash.
Valdez’s sentence serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of smuggling contraband across international borders. The case highlights the importance of cooperation between law enforcement agencies in preventing the flow of illicit goods.
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.
CASE NUMBER: CR-22-0891-TUC-SHR. RELEASE NUMBER: 2022-200_Valdez.
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Key Facts
- State: Arizona
- Category: Weapons
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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