Mexican national to serve 3 years for smuggling firearms

McALLEN, Texas ( ValleyCentral ) — A man from Reynosa, Mexico, has been sentenced for attempting to smuggle multiple firearms to Mexico, according to a news release from U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

On March 21, 2023, Guadalupe Mendiola-Urbina, 24, pleaded guilty to hiding multiple guns in his vehicle.

Mendiola-Urbina was ordered by Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane to serve three years in federal prison. As a non-citizen of the U.S., Mendiola-Urbina is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment, the Department of Justice stated in a release.

Mendiola-Urbina entered the United States in a vehicle on May 18, 2022, through the Hidalgo Port of Entry. According to the DOJ, he was in possession of $4,000 at the time he entered the U.S.

That same day, Mendiola-Urbina attempted to leave the United States and enter Mexico through the Hidalgo Port of Entry in the same vehicle.

Authorities discovered seven Glock pistols and eight firearm magazines concealed in his vehicle. He admitted to hiding the firearms and magazines in the vehicle to take them to Mexico.

“These firearms often contribute to fueling the violence committed by drug cartels, which drastically affects communities both in Mexico and in the United States. This sentence sends a strong message to firearms traffickers that law enforcement will work aggressively to combat this egregious and dangerous criminal activity,” said HSI RGV Deputy Special Agent in Charge Mark Lippa.

Mendiola-Urbina will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Homeland Security Investigations and Customs and Border Protection conducted the joint investigation.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KVEO-TV.