Authorities have arrested seven individuals in connection with a firearms trafficking conspiracy that reached the Canadian border. U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced the nine-count indictment against the group, with charges including providing false information to gun dealers. The discovery of 68 firearms occurred in Neche, North Dakota, a border crossing with Canada.
The last suspect, 23-year-old Gemale Sheali of Houston, was taken into custody recently in Chicago. According to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Sheali will appear in Chicago before being transferred to Houston for further proceedings. An international group of suspects, including Eddylson Patino, a Mexican citizen unlawfully present in Houston, and Muhammad Dagha, a citizen of Mozambique, has been identified in connection with gun trafficking.
The indictment alleges that starting in 2024, the defendants began their operations by using deception to purchase firearms from licensed dealers. False statements were used to conceal the movement of contraband across borders. Some of the weapons connected to the group have been traced to Mexico and Canada, extending the investigation beyond U.S. territory.
Both Patino and Dagha are accused of orchestrating the acquisition and eventual export of guns from the U.S. They, along with Abuelgasim Siddig, Omar Farooq, Erik Aguirre, Sheali, and Andres Ferman, face charges of conspiracy and providing false information to federal firearms licensed dealers. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, these charges carry potential penalties of up to five years in federal prison for each count and fines of up to $250,000.
The investigative efforts, spanning from Houston to Fargo, North Dakota, and including Canadian law enforcement cooperation, were led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with support from the Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations. The Houston Police Department also contributed to the multijurisdictional investigative initiative. The case is currently prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Smith, with assistant from the North Dakota District's U.S. Attorney Richard Lee.
