Arizona man sentenced to 15 months in prison for smuggling weapons into Mexico

PHOENIX — An Arizona man was sentenced to 15 months in prison on Monday for smuggling weapons from the United States into Mexico, authorities said.

Alejandro Valles, 27, of Aguila, Arizona, ordered an M203 40mm grenade launcher barrel online in October of 2018 and sent the package to another individual in southern Arizona who smuggled it into Mexico, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, said in a press release on Tuesday.

A second grenade launcher barrel was ordered a month later by a co-conspirator who sent it to Valles so the same procedure could take place, authorities said.

However, law enforcement intercepted the barrel before it reached Valles.

The co-conspirator, 21-year-old Mexican citizen David Alberto Duarte-Marquez, was sentenced to 33 months in prison for the crimes, authorities said.

Both Valles and Duarte-Marquez pleaded guilty.

Investigation of the case was conducted by Homeland Security with assistance from Customs and Border Protection, authorities said.

Related

Phoenix man sentenced to over 3 years in prison for ammunition smuggle attemptTempe halts all Flock camera data sharing, launches transparency portalParents accused of walking kids in extreme heat while intoxicated after Cardinals training campPolitical consultant calls Hobbs-Giles ticket ‘good strategy decision’ aimed at McCain RepublicansFlock official defends cameras as Arizona agencies rethink contractsArizona health officials urge heat safety as students return to school