Two Laredo locals are set to spend several years behind bars for their roles in a scheme to smuggle guns and ammo into Mexico, authorities announced. Joccelyn Jasmin Recio, 30, and 20-year-old Victor Martin Serrano Carrillo, a Mexican national, have been slapped with prison sentences of 78 and 63 months respectively, after both pleaded guilty to firearm trafficking charges.

In a story reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office of the Southern District of Texas, it was noted that the duo used social media to wheel and deal deadly weapons, including pistols, rifles, and ammunition. Their operation got busted when Recio, who also has a previous alien smuggling conviction, managed to orchestrate a delivery of six pistols, two rifles, along with 123 rounds of ammo to a buyer in February 2023.

U.S. District Judge Diana Saldaña handed down the sentences, pointing out the severity of the drug war in Mexico, and how Recio and Carrillo's actions contributed to the violence. "Recio and Carillo potentially put lives at risk for their own personal gain - intending to profit by selling firearms and ammunition to be illegally smuggled out of the United States," U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani was quoted saying. Along with their prison sentences, Recio is set for three years of supervised release while Carrillo faces likely deportation after serving his time.

The investigation into the pair's activities was a concerted effort involving Homeland Security Investigations and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with local law enforcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Homero Ramirez, who prosecuted the case, was part of the joint federal, state and local Project Safe Neighborhoods Program aiming to curb violent crime and gun violence.

Recio's and Carrillo's convictions serve as a stark reminder of the continued crackdown on illegal arms trafficking. According to Hamdani, the message is clear: "Try to take guns to Mexico through our district and pay for it with your freedom." Both offenders will remain in custody until their transfer to a federal prison is finalized.