San Diego-area man sentenced to nearly 6 years for smuggling weapons to Mexican cartel members
SAN DIEGO — A Chula Vista man who illegally purchased assault weapons in the U.S. and smuggled them to members of the Knights Templar drug cartel in Mexico has been sentenced to 70 months in federal prison.
Sergio Garcia-Rico, 53, pleaded guilty in federal court in August to drug and weapons-related charges, including possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, smuggling goods and making false statements in the acquisition of a fireman. As part of Thursday’s sentencing, a federal judge ordered Garcia-Rico to forfeit his home, along with weapons, ammunition and $11,000 that were found in his van at the time of his arrest.
The charges stem from a joint probe by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Federal agents from the HSI and ATF attaché offices in Tijuana also assisted in the investigation.
“The defendant knew he was delivering deadly weapons to a violent Mexican drug cartel, yet he continued to do so, over and over,” said U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy. “We are pursuing arms traffickers and prosecuting gun-related crimes at an unprecedented level in this district because lives are at stake.”
According to court records, Garcia-Rico admitted purchasing firearms at gun shops and gun shows in California and diverting the weapons to the Knights Templar cartel in Michoacán, Mexico. Garcia-Rico hid thousands of rounds of ammunition in the bottom of an electric wheelchair stored inside his vehicle while driving across the border from the U.S. to Mexico.
“This case is an example of the Border Enforcement Security Task Force’s work to combat violent criminal activity in hotspots along the U.S.-Mexico border,” said Joe Garcia, interim special agent in charge for HSI San Diego. “I commend the collaborative effort by law enforcement on both sides of the border that made this a successful investigation.”
“Intentionally purchasing firearms destined for criminals undermines public trust and safety,” said ATF Los Angeles Field Division Special Agent in Charge Carlos A. Canino. “This is precisely how agencies can work together to keep guns out of the hands of prohibited people.”
According to the complaint, Garcia-Rico was taken into custody by U.S. authorities in January when he attempted to smuggle firearms. into Mexico through the Otay Mesa Port of Entry. A federal officer with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) found thousands of rounds of ammunition, firearms and firearms parts while searching Garcia-Rico’s vehicle during an outbound inspection.
Two other defendants were prosecuted for their role in the gun trafficking scheme. Luis Antonio Sanchez-Andrade, a Mexican national, was sentenced Thursday to 10 months in prison for being an alien in possession of a firearm. According to the complaint, Sanchez-Andrade admitted to assisting Garcia-Rico with this gun trafficking scheme. Garcia-Rico’s daughter, Julie Garcia-Garcia, pleaded guilty and was sentenced in October to three years of felony probation for acting as a “straw purchaser” of at least one firearm for her father.
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