Jalisco’s PGR seizes more than 26,000 ammunition rounds in Guadalajara

Where the ammunition was found

After conducting a raid on a property in the Lomas del Paraíso neighbourhood in Guadalajara, Jalisco, agents from the state attorney general’s office (PGR) have seized more than 26,000 firearm cartridges of different calibers.

The raid came after information gained form the arrest of Arnulfo Ramírez Cruz, 35, and Víctor Barajas Martínez, age unknown, last Monday, February 25, in the town of Magdalena.

Police allege that at the initial arrest the two men were in possession of 11,000 cartridges that they intended to sell to either the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación, or CJNG) or the Crown Cartel (La Corona).

After presenting the two men before a judge, a search warrant was requested for the property located at 4406 Jesús Amavisca street. This is at the intersection with Jaime Carrillo street in Guadalajara’s Lomas del Paraíso neighbourhood.

Authorities then found 19,800 7.62x51 caliber cartridges, 2,400 7.62x39 caliber cartridges, and 3,547 cartridges for 38 Specials. As well, there were 700 .32 caliber cartridges, a .40-caliber grenade, 46 rifle magazines, four handgun magazines, and long-range rifle scopes.

Mexico has very strict gun control laws, with added penalties for those weapons intended for the exclusive use for the police and military. The majority of weapons and ammunition used by criminals in in Mexico – by some estimates 70% – originate in the United States.

The two men are liable for illegal possession charges and, possibly, for belonging to an organized crime group, though that will be more difficult to prove, as for that charge to stick a third party would have to be named.

The PGR gave no indication as to the origin of the ammunition.

(TE Wilson is the author of Mezcalero, a Detective Sánchez novel.)

For more information in the changing face of organized crime in Jalisco, see:

February 9: The Crown gang reshapes criminal alliances in Jalisco and Michoacán

Twitter: @TimothyEWilson

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