A Mexican national, Charbel Garza Macias, 20, affiliated with Cartel Del Noreste (CDN) and unlawfully residing in Laredo, Texas, has been sentenced to 63 months in federal prison for illegal possession of ammunition. The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Macias pleaded guilty on October 8, 2024. U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo presided over the case and noted that Macias was providing "tools of war to a brutal criminal organization." He is expected to face removal proceedings after serving his sentence due to his non-citizen status.
U.S. Attorney Ganjei emphasized the implications of Macias's actions: “This defendant’s goal was to get this ammunition to Mexico and, if he had succeeded, would have contributed to the cartels’ ongoing campaign of brutality.” He warned those aiding such organizations that they will be prosecuted.
Craig Larrabee, Special Agent in Charge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI), stated: “The conviction and sentence of this individual highlights the serious consequences of smuggling ammunition across international borders.”
Macias made several bulk purchases of ammunition in Laredo intending to transport them to Mexico for profit. On July 16, 2024, during surveillance operations, authorities observed him loading ammunition into a vehicle suspected of transporting large amounts of high-caliber rounds. After a traffic stop and search, approximately 4,800 rounds were discovered.
Macias admitted he was hired to purchase around 20,000 rounds for CDN operations in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. He did not possess a license for exporting ammunition or firearms and acknowledged knowing it was illegal.
ICE-HSI conducted the investigation with Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan L. Oliver prosecuting the case under Operation Take Back America—a Department of Justice initiative targeting illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations.