Three Laredo residents have been charged with funneling firearms to the notorious Cartel del Noreste (CDN), a Mexican criminal organization with a long history of violence and transnational crime.
Angela Ruby Ponce, 18, Oscar Axel Flores, 22, and Mario Alberto Tovar, 28, were indicted by a federal grand jury on four counts, including conspiracy, smuggling goods from the United States, trafficking firearms, and straw purchasing firearms for the CDN. The indictment alleges that the trio purchased and transported at least 12 firearms, including handguns and rifles, to the CDN over several months.
On April 2, authorities stopped the trio after they purchased a semi-automatic rifle from a federal firearms licensee in Laredo. The rifle was recovered and intended for the CDN, according to the charges. The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Laredo Police Department.
The CDN is accused of engaging in a range of transnational crimes, including kidnapping, extortion, vehicle theft, human trafficking, drug trafficking, and money laundering. The organization is headquartered in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico, and allegedly has influence over other Mexican cities.
The indictment alleges that the CDN uses firearms of various calibers and capabilities to carry out and protect its operations. If convicted, Ponce, Flores, and Tovar face possible prison sentences ranging from 5 to 40 years, including fines of up to $250,000. The charges also carry additional sentences under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which was enacted in June 2022 to target the unlawful trafficking and straw purchasing of firearms.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan L. Oliver is prosecuting the case. The defendants are scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Diana Song Quiroga on May 2 for their arraignment. At this time, the defendants are presumed innocent until convicted through due process of law.
The indictment is a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by transnational organized crime groups like the CDN. As the investigation continues, authorities will work to disrupt the flow of firearms to these groups and hold accountable those who facilitate their activities.
U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani announced the indictment, emphasizing the importance of holding individuals accountable for their role in facilitating the CDN’s activities. The investigation and prosecution of this case demonstrate the commitment of federal authorities to combating transnational organized crime and keeping communities safe.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Organized Crime|Violent Crime|Weapons|Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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