A Dallas man, Santiago Ramirez, 26, has been indicted in a federal court in Del Rio on four counts related to smuggling firearms into Mexico from the United States.
The indictment stems from an incident on October 30, when Ramirez underwent a vehicle inspection at the Eagle Pass Port of Entry in the early morning. Customs and Border Protection Officers observed alterations to the interior sidewall of the trailer Ramirez was hauling. Upon further inspection, authorities reportedly discovered 187 firearms wrapped in cellophane and concealed within the trailer's wall.
Ramirez made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Matthew H. Watters on October 31. He faces charges including one count of conspiracy to traffic firearms, one count of trafficking firearms, one count of conspiracy to smuggle goods from the United States, and one count of smuggling goods from the United States.
If convicted, Ramirez could be sentenced to a maximum of 15 years in prison for each of the two charges related to trafficking firearms. The conspiracy charge for smuggling goods carries a potential penalty of up to five years in prison, while the remaining count of smuggling goods could result in up to 10 years of imprisonment. All four charges also carry fines of up to $250,000 each. The sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge, considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
