Border Patrol Arrests Two, Seizes 25 Rifles Destined for Mexico

Border Patrol agents in California made two arrests and seized 25 AK-47 style rifles that were suspected to be in transit to criminal entities in Mexico.

The seizure of the firearms, which is thought to be the largest in the history of the Yuma Border Patrol Sector, resulted in the arrests of Jose Palma Almendariz, a United States citizen, and his 17-year-old brother, both of whom now face federal charges. The arrests were made in Blythe, California on the border of Arizona about 100 miles from the Mexican border.

“Transnational Criminal Organizations traffic weapons to fuel their illicit activity on both sides of the border,” Yuma Sector Border Patrol Chief Sean McGoffin explained when discussing the incident. “This weapons seizure clearly demonstrates the importance of our Border Security mission and commitment of keeping our communities safe.”

The duo was stopped by Border Patrol agents who were then assisted by law enforcement officers in the Coachella Valley Violent Crime Gang Task Force. Law enforcement officials found the 25 rifles, 25 30-round magazines, and two pistols. Authorities interviewed the two suspects and now believe that the weapons were picked up in Phoenix, Arizona, and would have been taken to Mexico if the duo had not been arrested.

Jose Palma Almendariz is now being held in the Blythe Jail, though his brother, a juvenile, remains free while the case continues.

The arrests come as cartel conflict persists about a hundred miles south in the Mexican state of Sonora, which has seen violence between those associated with the Sinaloa Cartel and the Juarez Cartel. Search parties in the area recently discovered the remains of 20 bodies, some of which were dismembered or partially incinerated, which provides a testament to the persistent conflict between the cartels.

While those arrested in this incident may have been trafficking weapons to criminal organizations in Mexico, elected officials have warned that international criminal organizations are gaining a foothold in the United States due to the porous southern border. Rep. Tony Gonzalez (R-TX) warned of Tren de Aragua, a ruthless Venezuelan prison gang, which he says is becoming more powerful within the United States. “This gang in several years is going to be the dominant transnational criminal organization throughout the United States. There’s no doubt in my mind,” Rep. Gonzalez warned, also explaining that “they gobble up territory like a cancer.”

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