Sofia Acosta de Caballero, Ammunition Smuggling, Texas 2016

Ammunition Smuggling Scheme Uncovered in El Paso

A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging two El Paso residents for scheming to smuggle thousands of rounds of ammunition into the Republic of Mexico.

Sofia Acosta de Caballero, 34, and Edward Navarro, 29, are accused of conspiring to purchase approximately 80,000 rounds of assorted caliber ammunition on the Internet with the understanding and purpose that this ammunition was to be exported to Mexico.

The indictment alleges that the defendants purchased several firearms with the understanding and purpose that these firearms were to be exported to Mexico.

On January 13, 2016, federal authorities at the Bridge of Americas Port of Entry in El Paso seized approximately 4,550 rounds of .38 caliber ammunition discovered inside a car being driven by Acosta. At the time, Acosta was also in possession of a Ruger Model Mini 14 magazine.

Acosta has remained in federal custody since January 13, 2016. Navarro is considered a fugitive.

The three-count federal indictment charges Sofia Acosta de Caballero with one count of conspiracy to smuggle goods from the United States and two substantive counts of smuggling goods from the United States. Edward Navarro is charged with one substantive count of smuggling goods from the United States.

Upon conviction of the conspiracy charge, the defendants face up to five years in federal prison. Each substantive firearms charge calls for up to ten years in federal prison upon conviction.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtx/pr/el-paso-federal-grand-jury-charges-two-connection-ammunition-smuggling-scheme