Emilio Ramirez Cortes, Firearms Trafficking, Texas 2024

Firearms Trafficking Ring Busted in Laredo, Texas

A shocking case of firearms trafficking has come to light in Laredo, Texas, where a father and son duo has admitted to smuggling a massive cache of guns and other related items to Mexico.

Emilio Ramirez Cortes, 48, a Mexican citizen who legally resides in Albertville, Alabama, and his son, Edgar Emilio Ramirez Diaz, 23, also of Albertville, have now pleaded guilty to the crime.

The duo was caught on October 23rd at the Juarez-Lincoln Port of Entry in Laredo, where they were attempting to smuggle the firearms and other related items. At initial inspection, they claimed they were not hauling any firearms, weapon parts, ammunition, or currency over $10,000.

However, a positive K-9 alert led to a search of their vehicles, which resulted in the discovery of approximately 534 firearms, 31,482 rounds of ammunition, 525 magazines, 40 scopes, four lasers, 10 rifle slings, and other related items.

As part of their pleas, the men admitted they were smuggling the weapons and accessories and acknowledged they had done so on multiple occasions.

U.S. District Judge Diana Saldaña will impose sentencing at a later date, where both men face up to 15 years for trafficking firearms as well as another 10 years for smuggling of goods from the United States. Both convictions carry a maximum fine of $250,000.

The father and son have been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/father-and-son-admit-smuggling-attempt-massive-firearms-cache-mexico