LUIS ENRIQUE BELTRAN-BELTRAN, 41, of Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico, has been sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment for his role in a massive weapons trafficking operation.
Beltran was extradited from Mexico to the United States in 2017 and had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to unlawfully export and aiding and abetting the unlawful possession of machine guns, grenades, and grenade launchers.
According to court documents, Beltran was at the helm of a conspiracy that involved buying and smuggling up to 10 machine guns with attached grenade launchers and 50 grenades each week. His operation also brought hundreds of high-capacity ammunition magazines and over 50,000 rounds of ammunition into Mexico.
Beltran’s leadership role in the conspiracy was a key factor in his sentencing, with Judge Cindy K. Jorgenson stating that the severity of his crimes and his position as a leader of the operation warranted the maximum sentence allowed by law.
The investigation into Beltran’s activities was a result of a joint effort by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations.
Angela W. Woolridge, Assistant U.S. Attorney, handled the prosecution of the case.
Beltran’s case is a stark reminder of the dangers of weapons trafficking and the need for continued vigilance in preventing the flow of illicit weapons into Mexico.
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Key Facts
- State: Arizona
- Category: Weapons|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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