Rios Reyes and Lopez Sentenced in Arms Smuggling Ring

McALLEN, Texas – The last two defendants in a sprawling firearms trafficking ring that funneled hundreds of weapons into Mexico have been sentenced. Esteban Rios Reyes, 35, and Alex Santos Lopez, 22, faced justice for their roles in the conspiracy to traffic firearms and smuggle goods out of the United States.

Reyes, a legal permanent resident from Silverhill, Alabama, pleaded guilty on January 28th, while Lopez, a U.S. citizen living in Oaxaca, Mexico, admitted guilt on February 16th. Both men have been handed down lengthy sentences by Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane.

Lopez has been sentenced to 90 months behind bars followed by three years of supervised release, while Reyes has received an 87-month sentence and faces the possibility of losing his residency status in the United States.

The court heard harrowing details of how the organization frequently exported weapons and coordinated across states before the smuggling attempt. Judge Crane highlighted their leadership roles and efforts to conceal their activities.

Lopez was caught on September 6, 2023, attempting to exit the U.S. with 270 firearms hidden in a trailer. This followed an investigation that revealed similar attempts since 2022, including stashes in Texas and weapons sourced across multiple states. The operation led to arrests nationwide, disrupting numerous smuggling efforts.

Co-conspirators Felipe Garcia and Angel Carreno of Dallas, along with Jose Luis Pacheco from Guadalajara, Mexico, have already been sentenced for their involvement in the ring. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation with assistance from Customs and Border Protection.

This case was prosecuted under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, marking the first federal statute specifically designed to target unlawful firearms trafficking. OCDETF’s multi-agency approach played a crucial role in identifying and dismantling this criminal organization.

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