ATF Weapons Traces Lead to Arrest of Juarez Cartel Gun Smuggler

Firearms Recovered in Juarez, Mexico, Leads to the Arrest by ATF Agents in Arizona

EL PASO, Texas, April 7, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Wed., Feb. 13, 2008, an arsenal of weapons was recovered by Mexican authorities from a safe house in Juarez, where a running gun battle took place, which included two 50-cal. rifles. A total of 25 long guns, five pistols, bulletproof vests and ammunition were also recovered. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), out of El Paso, subsequently traced those firearms which showed that they were part of a gun smuggling investigation out of Arizona.

Victor Varela, the alleged leader of a firearms trafficking network operating in the Southwest, was arrested by ATF agents in Arizona. Varela and his so-defendants, who acted as "straw purchasers", purchased a number of firearms in Arizona for the purpose of supplying them to drug trafficking organizations in Mexico.

Michael A. Golson Sr., ATF Acting Special Agent in Charge for the Dallas Division stated, "This is evidence of the cooperation by ATF and Mexican authorities to combat illegal gun trafficking and the violence that ensues from it. It also shows the importance of gun tracing and our increased focus to do so on both sides of the border as the majority of firearms used in border violence originate in the United States."

Pictures and other images of the seizure from Juarez will be made available to the media for viewing. Also available, firearms with obliterated serial numbers seized from a recent investigation where 89 firearms, over $123,000.00, and a H2 Hummer was seized. An estimated 1,869 firearms were documented going into Mexico, including to a Municipal Police Officer in Juarez. That officer is now serving time in a Federal prison in the United States.

Date- Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Time- 2:30 P.M.

Location - ATF office

310 N. Mesa, Room 800

El Paso

Special Agent Tom Crowley will be available to address "Project Gunrunner" and ATF's commitment to deter the illegal trafficking of firearms into Mexico and to help alleviate the violence on both sides of the border. More information on ATF and Project Gunrunner can be found at www.atf.gov.