Mayor, police chief arrested in N.M. village

[IScreamSundays]

Source: msnbc

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The mayor and police chief of a tiny New Mexico border town best known for a raid by Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa nearly a century ago were among 11 people accused Thursday of participating in a ring that illegally sent firearms to Mexico.

A federal indictment alleges the defendants have engaged in a conspiracy — based in Columbus, N.M. — to buy the firearms since January 2010. Law enforcement officers executed search warrants Thursday at eight residences, a business and the Columbus Police Department.

The indictment, which stems from a yearlong investigation, alleges the defendants purchased firearms favored by Mexican cartels, including AK-47-type pistols, weapons resembling AK-47 rifles — but with shorter barrels — and American Tactical 9 mm caliber pistols. Authorities also said that 12 firearms purchased by defendants were later found in Mexico.

Mayor Eddie Espinoza, Police Chief Angelo Vega, and town Trustee Blas Gutierrez were among those accused of firearms and smuggling charges in the 84-count indictment, which was unsealed Thursday afternoon.

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42020058/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/

[loudsue]

1. Man! They are so screwn!! Messin' w/ the bush cartel's weapons

dealings?? Ya just don't do it. Especially not if you don't have an anglo name. Tsk. tsk. The bush cia won't stand for this.

[The Backlash Cometh]

2. Well done.

[VermeerLives]

3. Part of BATF's "Gunwalker" program? (n/t)