Esteban Ramirez-Torres, Ammunition Smuggling, Texas 2020

Man Smuggles 4,000 Rounds of Ammunition Inside Dog Biscuits

McALLEN, Texas - In a shocking case of smuggling, a 25-year-old Mexican national has admitted to exporting ammunition from the United States to Mexico, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.

On Nov. 15, 2019, Esteban Ramirez-Torres approached the southbound checkpoint at the Hidalgo Port of Entry, where authorities discovered boxes of dog biscuits with black tape at the bottom and bags of dog food stapled shut.

Further inspection by authorities revealed 4,000 rounds of 7.62x39mm caliber ammunition and 30 AK-47 style rifle magazines hidden amongst the dog food and boxes of biscuits.

Ramirez-Torres admitted he knowingly smuggled the ammunition illegally into Mexico and acknowledged purchasing the dog food, tape, and staples at Walmart prior to returning to Mexico.

U.S. District Judge Randy Crane accepted the plea and set sentencing for April 14, 2020. At that time, Ramirez-Torres faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 fine.

He has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Claire Nguyen is prosecuting the case.

Ramirez-Torres is set to face the consequences of his actions, and his sentence will serve as a warning to others who attempt to smuggle ammunition into Mexico.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/mexican-man-admits-exporting-ammunition-inside-boxes-dog-biscuits