By Trend News Line 2024-05-15 14:17:05.
Alleged Operator of Stash House Identified
In a recent turn of events, a woman caught driving a large quantity of .50-caliber bullets to Mexico has led authorities in Arizona to the alleged operator of a stash house for drugs, migrants, and ammunition. The federal grand jury in Tucson, Arizona, returned a 10-count indictment against Ambrocio Ruiz Angulo, a Mexican citizen. The charges against Ruiz include conspiracy to smuggle goods out of the United States, possession with intent to distribute various drugs, and possession of a firearm as an illegal alien.
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Multiple Deportations and Criminal History
Ruiz, who has been deported thrice before in 2014, 2018, and 2023, has a criminal history that includes serving prison time in Arizona in 2018 for felony distribution of marijuana. The indictment against him also includes charges of re-entry into the country as an illegal alien.
Discovery of Ammunition Smuggling Operation
The investigation into Ruiz began when officers with U.S. Customs and Border Protection stopped a vehicle attempting to leave the United States through the Mariposa port of entry in Nogales, Arizona. The vehicle was found to contain numerous boxes of .50-caliber ammunition, typically used for sniper rifles or machine guns. This discovery ultimately led authorities to Ruiz and the stash house.
Cooperation Leads to Arrest
The woman driving the vehicle cooperated with investigators and provided them with crucial information, including the telephone number of the individual who hired her to transport the ammunition to Mexico and the location of the stash house. Surveillance operations were set up in the town of El Mirage, Arizona, which eventually led to the arrest of Ruiz.
Details of the Arrest
On April 11, officers from the El Mirage police Department stopped a vehicle driven by a U.S. citizen named Jerry Cortes. During the stop, a black satchel containing a stolen pistol, drugs, cash, and documents belonging to Ruiz was found. Cortes allegedly admitted to working with Ruiz to transport drugs and unauthorized migrants from the border to the stash house.
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Admission of Guilt
During an interview with investigators, Ruiz reportedly confessed to being the caretaker of the stash house where the ammunition was stored. He admitted to running loads of narcotics and migrants with Cortes and mentioned additional contraband at the house intended for illegal export. Ruiz is set to face trial on July 9, with a deadline to enter a plea by June 21.
Government’s Response
In late April, the federal government filed a motion of intent to destroy an undisclosed amount of contraband seized in connection with the case. The investigation into Ruiz’s alleged smuggling operation continues to unfold, shedding light on the illicit activities taking place along the U.S.-Mexico border..
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