A Tucson woman was indicted last week for attempting to smuggle around 8,000 rounds of ammunition across the Arizona-Mexico border, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona announced on Thursday.
On March 7, 2024, Customs and Border Protection officers stopped the vehicle of Andrea Villalva, 32, at the Nogales Port of Entry in Arizona. During their search, investigators discovered eight “sealed cases of 5.56 XP193 rifle ammunition” hidden away against the “rear wall of the trunk,” according to a press release.
Villalva informed officials she would have been paid $150 for each ammunition pack that reached her buyer in Mexico. She also claimed to have successfully smuggled ammunition into Mexico on three previous occasions.
Villalva’s conviction for smuggling from within the United States could result in up to ten years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release.
Julie A. Sottosanti, Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Arizona, will handle the prosecution.
Arizona woman attempted smuggling case part of bigger operation
This particular smuggling case is a small aspect of the larger Operation Take Back America, a national effort by the US Department of Justice “to repel the invasion of illegal immigration,” according to the press release.
The Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSNs) are also involved in this ongoing operation.
