1. ATF seizes grenade launcher in Laredo
2. Machine-gun pistols seized by ATF in Laredo.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
A man from San Antonio has been apprehended by authorities for attempting to sell a collection of high-powered firearms, including a grenade launcher and modified “machine gun pistols,” to an undercover federal agent near the border in Laredo, Texas.
Details of the incident
The weapons were reportedly acquired in the Dallas area and then transported to San Antonio, where they were in the possession of a man identified as Luis Azael Berlanga. Court documents reveal that Berlanga enlisted the help of Juan Jose Moreno Jr. to aid in the sale of the firearms.
The two men arranged a meeting with an individual they believed would purchase the guns for $10,000. They met at an address on the 4000 block of Zapata Memorial Highway in Laredo and displayed the arsenal to the prospective buyer, who turned out to be an undercover agent from the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agency.
Arrest and seizure
As Berlanga was counting the money he received from the agent, a tactical team comprising members of the Laredo Police Department, ATF, and Border Patrol moved in to apprehend the suspects. The firearms, including the grenade launcher and the modified pistols, were seized, and subsequent tests confirmed that they were capable of continuous firing due to the installation of a drop-in auto-sear.
Legal proceedings
Following their arrest, Berlanga and Moreno were charged with illegal possession of a machine gun. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for May 24 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Diana Song Quiroga in Laredo.
During interrogations, Berlanga admitted to being aware of the modifications that allowed the pistols to function as machine guns. Moreno, on the other hand, confessed to assisting Berlanga in a previous sale involving a Glock with similar capabilities.
Conclusion
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by the illicit sale and possession of high-powered firearms. Law enforcement agencies remain vigilant in their efforts to prevent such weapons from falling into the wrong hands, particularly in border regions where smuggling and trafficking activities are known to occur.
For more updates and news on border-related issues, visit BorderReport.com.
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– ATF seizes grenade launcher machine-gun pistols Laredo ATF seizes grenade launcher machine-gun pistols Laredo.
