SAN DIEGO: Seven people have been charged in connection with a gun-running ring that authorities say conspired to procure and smuggle heavy-duty firearms to Mexico for the Sinaloa drug cartel, according to court records.
The charges are contained in two indictments filed in San Diego federal court.
Some of the defendants and others would buy the weapons from licensed dealers, submitting false statements on the applications, then attempt to smuggle the guns across the California border to Mexico, according to the indictments.
The ring purchased AK-47s, .50-caliber rifles, AR-15s, PS-90 rifles and Glock pistols, as well as other accessories, including an M63 anti-aircraft .50-caliber weapon mount, according to prosecutors.
The alleged ringleader, Ruben Martinez Banuelos, was arrested in February in Santa Barbara County and was transferred to San Diego to face a charge of conspiracy to make false statements in connection with acquiring firearms without a license.
According to a cellphone search warrant affidavit filed this week by U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, the investigation into the scheme launched in March 2014 and was linked to a probe into an assassin/enforcer cell operating in Mexicali, and a drug trafficking organization operating throughout Southern California, Arizona and Mexico on behalf of the Sinaloa cartel.
Martinez was intercepted on wiretaps that showed him directing others to acquire guns in the U.S. and arrange to have them smuggled to Mexico, the affidavit says. It appeared he was the Sinaloa’s gun broker, investigators said. His name is listed on the indictment along with several monikers, including “El Hijo del Santo,” “Mascarita Sagrada,” and “El Piloto.”
Agents interdicted several .50-caliber firearms and other weapons before they were able to cross the border, including several at the Calexico Port of Entry.
Martinez was arrested on state gun charges in August at his home in Santa Maria, and authorities seized four guns and two upper receivers for AR-15 rifles there.
He apparently continued his illicit business after that arrest, investigators allege.
One discussion between Martinez and a co-defendant in October revolved around a request for three .40-caliber handguns as well as “sand colored chaps,” knee pads and elbow pads, according to the affidavit. Martinez told his alleged associate that obtaining the equipment in the U.S. was easy, smuggling was the hard part, the records state.
Martinez is being held without bail. He and the other defendants have pleaded not guilty.
The Sinaloa cartel is considered the most powerful and widespread drug trafficking organization in operation now, and authorities in San Diego and Chicago particularly have been chipping away at its leadership in numerous indictments. Several indicted leaders, including top man Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, remain fugitives, while others have pleaded guilty.
