TUCSON, Ariz. - Adrian Guadalupe Valdez, 45, of Wendel, Idaho, was sentenced last week by United States District Judge Scott H. Rash to 42 months in prison for smuggling ammunition from the United States into Mexico. Valdez previously pleaded guilty to the Smuggling of Goods from the United States.
On April 1, 2022, Valdez attempted to drive a vehicle from the United States into Mexico through the Nogales Port of Entry. At the Port, Customs and Border Protection Officers (CBPOs) stopped the vehicle for an outbound inspection. Valdez then ran from the vehicle in an attempt to flee into Mexico. Officers were able to stop and apprehend Valdez. During an inspection of the vehicle, CBPOs found a total of 17,500 rounds of 7.62x39mm and.223 caliber ammunition in the trunk.
The Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Angela W. Woolridge, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-22-0891-TUC-SHR
RELEASE NUMBER: 2022-200_Valdez
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
