TUCSON, Ariz. — A Mexican national was sentenced Nov. 21 to 84 months in prison for his involvement in smuggling firearms to Mexico and international money laundering. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) conducted the investigation in this case.
“The defendant in this case will be spending the next seven years in prison for his involvement in firearms smuggling and money laundering — both crimes do nothing more than perpetuate corruption and crime,” said HSI Arizona Special Agent in Charge Francisco B. Burrola. “HSI will not idle and will thoroughly investigate illicit activity that comprises safety by those seeking to financial profit for breaking the law.”
Jesus Angel Vasquez Balganon, 33, of Mexico, will be under supervised release following his prison sentence. An order of forfeiture was entered in the amount of $97,229. Vasquez Balganon pleaded guilty March 14 to Smuggling Goods from the United States and International Money Laundering.
Vasquez Balganon admitted that, between March of 2018 and January of 2021, and on April 6, 2021, he exported numerous firearms, some of which were recovered in Mexico. He also exported weapons components, ammunition, and accessories.
On April 6, 2021, Vasquez Balganon was arrested at the Port of Entry in Nogales, when he attempted to smuggle high-capacity magazines, concealed in his vehicle, to Mexico. Customs and Border Protection officers found a shopping bag containing nine 30-round AR-15 5.56 caliber high-capacity magazines. Vasquez Balganon stated he knew about the magazines and knew he was prohibited from taking them into Mexico. Vasquez Balganon expected to be paid $100.
Prior to his apprehension and arrest on April 6, 2021, Vasquez Balganon had exported or attempted to export 67 firearms, including a machinegun, an AK-103 style firearm, a Century Arms WASR rifle, and a FN SCAR 17 rifle, as well as 20,000 rounds of ammunition, ammunition links and 208 magazines. Some of the firearms were recovered in Mexico.
All the firearms, weapons components, ammunition, magazines, and accessories are designated on the United States Commerce Control List as prohibited by law for export from the United States into Mexico without a valid license. Neither Vasquez Balganon nor any other individual involved had a license or any other lawful authority to export these items into Mexico.
Vasquez Balganon also admitted that, from February of 2019 to March of 2021, he transferred over $20,000 from a U.S. bank to a bank in Mexico for the purpose of facilitating his illegal smuggling activities.
This case was part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorneys’ Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Assistant United States Attorney Raquel Arellano, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.