Posted on 08/10/2006 9:09:23 AM PDT by SwinneySwitch
McALLEN, Texas -- A 42-year-old Mexican woman is accused of trying to smuggle 13,000 rounds of ammunition into Mexico, federal prosecutors said Wednesday.
Balbina Morales-Oscoy, of Posa Rica, Veracruz, was arrested at the Pharr international bridge Aug. 4 after U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers said they found 19 boxes of .22-caliber ammunition and about 2,500 rounds of .38 Super ammunition concealed in soft drink boxes in the vehicle she was driving.
She was charged with conspiracy to export defense articles, a felony.
A federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigation began Aug. 2, after ICE agents received information from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives regarding a vehicle with Mexican plates suspected of being used to export ammunition.
ICE agents said they watched Morales-Oscoy as she drove to various locations and bought ammunition and groceries, then stopped at a residence and unloaded and reloaded groceries into a minivan.
CBP officers at the international bridge found the ammunition and detained her. She has been in federal custody pending a detention hearing Thursday.
If convicted, she faces up to five years in prison and a maximum $250,000 fine.
Why is this illegal?............
Pistol Packin' Mamacita!
we need a pic! if she's Salma Hayek material, she's free to go!
That is about one month of weekend plinking for many normal US citizens or about one hour of squirrel hunting.
The selective application of the laws of the United States is pure hypocrisy...uh, how about prosecuting those who ILLEGALY ENTER into the United States?....no they are expempt from obeying THOSE LAWS.
Mexicans are exempt from laws that interfere with getting their votes and campaign contributions...
I know this is more of a "Friday"-type comment, but I find this attractive, in a way.
This just doesn't set well with me. She LEGALLY purchased the ammo. It legally was in her posession. Taking her own leagl personal property out of the country should not be a crime. And with whom did she conspire? One person cannot conspire.........
Actually 10,500 rounds of .22 cal.
The rest was .38 cal, fwiw.
Idiots!!!
Fine her $250,000? So what? Have you ever attempted to collect on a judgement on an immigrant or illegal alien? Good luck.
Well, first whomever sold the ammunition committed a felony by selling to an "un-documented" person. No FOID Card. Second, ammunition bought without a FOID is a crime. Third, transporting across international boundries without declaration, (see smuggling) is always a crime...especially when gunpowder is involved.
Finally, does anyone not believe this was intended to re-supply drug cartel muscle? Please.
I'm sure others can come up with about four or five more crimes committed here.
Good on our border security....Way to go guys!
ICE can find 'em leaving, but are blind to those coming this direction.
Well, if the rounds were .223 or 5.56, then I would say.. yeah we may have a case.. But .22 and .38? Please....
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers said they found 19 boxes of .22-caliber ammunition and about 2,500 rounds of .38 Super ammunition concealed
19 @ 500 gives 9500 + 2500 =12000 Did she admit to another 1000 that they didn't find?
It is illegal to bring guns or ammunition into Mexico. It violates Mexican laws. More than one American has been put in Mexican jails just for having one spent cartridge in their car.
ping
Maybe she should've sent them the right way......One at a time, pointy end first.
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