“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat
A Santiago, Nuevo Leon resident arrested with 18 firearms in Laredo said he was going to sell the weapons for profit in Mexico, according to an arrest affidavit.
Jose Manuel Salazar was charged with export and attempt to export from the United States, false statements to a federally licensed firearms dealer, false statements regarding information required to be kept in records of a federal firearms licensed dealer and smuggling a firearm into Mexico to engage in or to promote conduct that would constitute a felony.
On Jan. 19, Homeland Security Investigations along with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives received information on a vehicle being used to smuggle firearms into Mexico.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers conducting outbound operations at the Colombia Solidarity International Bridge encountered a black Volkswagen Jetta with Texas license plates. Authorities identified the driver as Salazar. He was traveling with a woman and a minor.
During an inspection, Salazar gave a negative declaration for weapons, weapon parts, ammo and more than $10,000 in cash. Salazar added that he was traveling from Mesquite, Texas to Santiago, Nuevo Leon, Mexico.
CBP officers referred the Jetta to secondary inspection, where a K-9 unit alerted to the odor of firearms, ammo or money near the panels of the vehicle. Further inspection of the panels resulted in the discovery of various firearms, authorities said.
HSI and ATF special agents responded to interview Salazar. He agreed to provide a post-arrest statement. Salazar mentioned that he traveled to the United States on Jan. 19 to buy household goods to sell in Mexico.
Salazar stated he resides in Santiago, Nuevo Leon, Mexico with his family. Aside from buying households, Salazar stated he also visited two gun shows near Mesquite and Austin.
“Salazar admitted he purchased approximately 18 firearms while in the United States and provided false information on ATF Form 4473, listing his father’s address in Mesquite to complete the firearm transactions,” states the affidavit.
Salazar stated that after buying the firearms, he concealed the weapons throughout his vehicle at a hotel near San Antonio to be smuggled into Mexico. He stated he intended to sell the firearms in Mexico for profit, according to court documents.
Authorities seized the following 18 firearms from Salazar:
*Beretta 80X Cheetah
*Glock 285 .380
*Glock 42 .380
*Keltec P17 .22
*Keltec PMR30 .22
*Ruger Security 380 (two)
*Ruger LCP2 .380
*Sig Saur P322 .22 (two)
*S&W MP 5.7
*S&W MP 380
*S&W MP Shield .380
*Walther CCP .380
*Walther PK 380 (two)
*Walther PPK/S .22 (two)
