OKC cracks down on gun trafficking to Mexico
OKLAHOMA CITY -- New federal indictments are handed down in the ongoing investigation of a state drug agent accused of gun trafficking. Former OBN agent Francisco Reyes is charged with helping smuggle military-style weapons from Oklahoma to Mexico. This week federal prosecutors charged two other men, Gregorio Morales and Jorge Blanco with assisting in the crimes. According to the indictment, the weapons were purchased at three gun stores in Oklahoma City and a fourth in Woodward.
The indictment claims Blanco bought many of the illegal weapons and gave them to Reyes.
Reyes then allegedly transported the guns to Morales in Texas.
Morales is accused of smuggling the guns to the Mexican border.
Unfortunately, prosecutors say gun smuggling is a growing problem in Oklahoma.
"It's a bit scary, but I want the public to understand we're fighting this. We're taking it very very seriously," said U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma Sanford Coats.
Coats says Oklahoma City's location along the I-35 corridor has opened the market to illegal smuggling.
"It's basically a two-way street. The guns and money run south to Mexico, the drugs are coming north," said Coats.
To crackdown on the gun trafficking, the ATF recently announced plans to a operate a "Gun Runner" program in Oklahoma City.
A fourth man, Kyle Wooten, also allegedly purchased weapons illegally.
Wooten though isn't charged because he recently passed away.
Reyes is expected to be in federal court next week.
http://www.kfor.com/news/local/kfor-news-2-indicted-gunrunning-fed-agent-case-story,0,5277744.story
OKLAHOMA CITY -- New federal indictments are handed down in the ongoing investigation of a state drug agent accused of gun trafficking. Former OBN agent Francisco Reyes is charged with helping smuggle military-style weapons from Oklahoma to Mexico. This week federal prosecutors charged two other men, Gregorio Morales and Jorge Blanco with assisting in the crimes. According to the indictment, the weapons were purchased at three gun stores in Oklahoma City and a fourth in Woodward.
The indictment claims Blanco bought many of the illegal weapons and gave them to Reyes.
Reyes then allegedly transported the guns to Morales in Texas.
Morales is accused of smuggling the guns to the Mexican border.
Unfortunately, prosecutors say gun smuggling is a growing problem in Oklahoma.
"It's a bit scary, but I want the public to understand we're fighting this. We're taking it very very seriously," said U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma Sanford Coats.
Coats says Oklahoma City's location along the I-35 corridor has opened the market to illegal smuggling.
"It's basically a two-way street. The guns and money run south to Mexico, the drugs are coming north," said Coats.
To crackdown on the gun trafficking, the ATF recently announced plans to a operate a "Gun Runner" program in Oklahoma City.
A fourth man, Kyle Wooten, also allegedly purchased weapons illegally.
Wooten though isn't charged because he recently passed away.
Reyes is expected to be in federal court next week.
http://www.kfor.com/news/local/kfor-news-2-indicted-gunrunning-fed-agent-case-story,0,5277744.story