Two suspected gun traffickers for the Gulf Cartel have been arrested in an undercover operation in Zapata County, according to an arrest affidavit.
Jorge Alberto Morales-Calvo and Homero Arteaga Jr. were arrested on the charges of felon in possession of a firearm, person illegally or unlawfully in the United States in possession of a firearm and firearms trafficking.
The case unfolded on Aug. 15, when Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives special agents received information that a migrant from Mexico who was deported and convicted for human smuggling in 2018 had expressed interest in purchasing high-powered rifles to take to Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico.
The migrant is known to be affiliated with the Gulf Cartel, which operates in the region, according to court documents.
Special agents established communication with the migrant on Aug. 30 via a confidential informant. They agreed to meet in Zapata, where the migrant would purchase a .50 caliber Barrett rifle for $15,000 and an 5.7×28 caliber FN Herstal Belgium handgun with a large capacity magazine for $850, authorities said.
On Sept. 18, special agents facilitated the purchase of the firearms. The migrant sent Morales-Calvo and Arteaga to complete the transaction. Arteaga was the point of contact to an undercover agent. Both parties agreed to meet at a parking lot by Texas 16 and U.S. 83 in Zapata.
Arteaga arrived at the location in a black Chevrolet Silverado driven by Morales-Calvo. Arteaga then met with the undercover agent. The undercover agent showed the firearms that were inside the trunk of a black vehicle. The weapons were kept in a black pelican case, states the affidavit.
The undercover agent opened the case to show the firearms to Arteaga. Asked if the firearms were going to Mexico, Arteaga said, “Yes.” Arteaga then went back to the passenger side of the Silverado to grab a small fanny pack containing the money.
After completing the transaction for the guns, surveillance and response teams moved in to arrest Arteaga and Morales-Calvo. Morales-Calvo then sped off from the parking lot, leaving Arteaga behind, court documents state.
Marked police units chased Morales-Calvo and detained him in an adjacent parking lot. In addition, special agents seized $16,850 in counterfeit cash, the affidavit states.
A records check revealed that Arteaga had convictions for burglary of a habitation and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance. Records further showed that Arteaga was sentenced to six and 30 months, respectively, for two probation violations, according to court documents.
A records check for Morales-Calvo revealed that he was convicted for burglary of a habitation with the intent to commit a felony and aggravated robbery, both first degree felonies.
Source: Laredo Morning Times
Discover more from Cartel Insider
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.