Gun Running to Mexico

[WatchManUSA]

A topic we have kicked around here is the issue of guns purchased in the US getting sent to Mexico.  In Minnesota we have had a guy arrested for buying guns in Minnesota and smuggling them across the boarder to Mexico.  This past week the Minneapolis paper has run a four part ex-posse on the story of this guy.  It is worth a read.  I have provided the four links to the stories.

Part 1: From southern Minnesota to Mexico
http://www.startribune.com/investigators/96218259.html?elr=KArksUUUoDEy3LGDiO7aiU

Part 2: Smuggler's luck ends at the Mexican border
http://www.startribune.com/investigators/96265414.html?elr=KArksUUUoDEy3LGDiO7aiU

Part 3: Too many weapons set feds on the trail
http://www.startribune.com/investigators/96346089.html?elr=KArksUUUoDEy3LGDiO7aiU

Part 4: 'Pipeline' feeds river of blood
http://www.startribune.com/investigators/96433864.html?elr=KArks:DCiU6:5DiaPQEacyiUiacyKUUs

[ccd]

I actually wasted the time to read the four stories and my thoughts on the topic are the same as when this topic first appeared.

a) he was not running north any lighter than he was driving south i.e he was a drug runner
b) shows how ineffective ICE/Mexican Customs is at the POE's which is because of many factors: 1) corruption on both sides 2)
    limited equipment/nonfunctional equipment 3) lack of desire by political class to actually stop drug trade 4) operating procedures
    at POE's
c) the current laws seem to work quite well enforcement/manpower seems to be the issue
d) the press in these stories seem unwilling to undertake any real effort and only report what the feds are spoon feeding them
  - pretty sure  individual in story became involved in drug trade when restaurant
    started going bad, not to mention poor victim spiel they tried to incorporate into first installment of story
   -feds had the case spoon fed to them by Cabela's and it still took major effort by ATF to get conviction
   -large money wires/transfers and no bells and whistles went off?? Not sure I believe that especially when amount is more than
    50% of claimed income, unless Treasury is asleep
   -feds for some reason seem to favor getting convictions based on firearms charges versus drug charges
   -why can ICE have someone who has gone through their POE's dozens of times with guns one way and most likely drugs the
    other but only find something when the ATFE tells them to check the vehicle, especially when the guy in question is from
    Minnesota, i.e traveled 1500+ miles with a sofa or fridge etc multiple times

[fightingquaker13]

Look, I have two POVs to offer. I'm not saying either is ris right, just that they are real. My great Uncle Burt made his green trading American guns for whiskey to the IRA in the Bahamas back in the the twenties He never got popped and never ap;ologized. Secondly, prohibition doesn't work. As long as there is a demand, there will be a supply. So, either we legalize it, or learn to live with the violence. I don't see an option C.
FQ13

[Pathfinder]

d) the press in these stories seem unwilling to undertake any real effort and only report what the feds are spoon feeding them

That is news reporting these days.

  -large money wires/transfers and no bells and whistles went off?? Not sure I believe that especially when amount is more than 50% of claimed income, unless Treasury is asleep

Having worked for a bank, IMHO the volume of data flowing into .gov these days is overpowering. Every time you transfer more than $750 from one account to another, .gov is informed. And given the abject failure of .gov to modernize any of its computer systems (IRS, FAA, et al) it is doubtful the data is doing anything other than serving as a data mine so that if they get a tip on a person, they can dive into the pile of info and find corroborating evidence or an audit trail of some sort from which they can investigate more.

Same is true for the POE data.

  -feds for some reason seem to favor getting convictions based on firearms charges versus drug charges

Drug convictions are passe, firearms convictions show that the gummint is (a) doing its job, (b) feeds into anti-gun statistics, and (c) is used to "poison the well" as it were, subconsciously setting fertile ground in the sheeps' minds that guns are bad - look at all the gun crime after all!


I saw the headlines for the last one in the series in the Red Star Tribune, didn't bother to read it. Did anyone in any of the 4 stories bother to point out the fact that most of the guns used in the Mexican drug war are in fact simply not available in the US to us ordinary sheep? Stuff like gummint issue select-fires etc.?

[david86440]

That is news reporting these days.

Having worked for a bank, IMHO the volume of data flowing into .gov these days is overpowering. Every time you transfer more than $750 from one account to another, .gov is informed. And given the abject failure of .gov to modernize any of its computer systems (IRS, FAA, et al) it is doubtful the data is doing anything other than serving as a data mine so that if they get a tip on a person, they can dive into the pile of info and find corroborating evidence or an audit trail of some sort from which they can investigate more.

 

Isn't it more than $10,000 on a form called a CTR?

[Sponsor]

[Pathfinder]

Isn't it more than $10,000 on a form called a CTR?

That's one, the bank also has to record handling of $1000 or $3000. I looked quickly and could not find anything except a SAR (Suspicious Activity Report) for $2000 transactions. Last training class at the bank (annual treat for all bank employees) I was sure there was something in the about $750.

I was reminded that Spitzer got caught banging that hooker through electronic transfers - the Feds thought he was hiding bribes. He was hiding something al right, just not what the Feds thought it was.

[PegLeg45]

That's one, the bank also has to record handling of $1000 or $3000. I looked quickly and could not find anything except a SAR (Suspicious Activity Report) for $2000 transactions. Last training class at the bank (annual treat for all bank employees) I was sure there was something in the about $750.

I was reminded that Spitzer got caught banging that hooker through electronic transfers - the Feds thought he was hiding bribes. He was hiding something al right, just not what the Feds thought it was.

Guess I'm safe then.......       

[TAB]

I wonder how many of those forms they filled out on me.  I had many suppliers/ subs that would only take cash or wire transfer.

2 years ago, if you saw me chances are I had atleast a couple grand on me at all times.

[WatchManUSA]

I found it interesting that someone paid attention to the ATF Form 3310.4 done on this guy.  FFL's have to send one in when someone buys two or more handguns in a five-day period.

[m25operator]

Watchman, it is unfortunate, that a lot of ffl's will coach the buyer, and tell him or her, that they have to send in that report, and will actually, just call in the checks using more than a week, but the buyer has the merchandise, they are taking a big chance but many do, also, some unseemly dealers will add that dudes pistols to other previous buyers for multiple handgun purchases under the 5 limit. Saw some so called friends go down for it, now they cannot own guns anymore, all just for a profit.

As far as coaching, I would tell customers that I would have to and would submit the multiple handgun purchase and let them decide if they wanted to go that way, but I did submit the report.