LAREDO, Texas – In a stunning blow to the illegal arms trade, Emilio Ramirez Cortes, 48, a Mexican citizen living in the U.S., and his son, Edgar Emilio Ramirez Diaz, have been apprehended for attempting to traffic over 300 firearms into Mexico. Both men faced their initial appearances before a federal court judge in Laredo and are currently being held without bond ahead of a detention hearing scheduled for October 31st.
“Disrupting the illegal flow of weapons into Mexico is critical in our fight against cartels,” U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei stated. “This seizure underscores our commitment to safeguard Americans from cartel violence.”
The operation began on October 23rd when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents intercepted two vehicles at the Juarez-Lincoln Port of Entry in Laredo, Texas. Authorities allege that Ramirez Diaz was driving a Chevrolet Tahoe with Alabama plates, followed by his father in a Silverado with Mexican plates. Inside both trailers, authorities found false walls concealing more than 300 rifles and pistols, as well as ammunition and magazines.
Court records indicate the pair had been smuggling weapons and related items for payment on several occasions. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Scott Bowling is handling the prosecution of this case, which is part of Operation Take Back America, a Justice Department initiative aimed at dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations.
“Those who traffic guns to Mexico are fueling cartel terror,” Ganjei added. “We will dismantle every aspect of their operations until they are no more.” The operation involved collaboration between ICE-HSI, the ATF, and Customs and Border Protection.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Weapons|Human Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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