Alabama duo arrested after federal agents intercept large weapon shipment at Texas border
Laredo, Texas – Two Alabama men are facing serious federal charges after allegedly trafficking over 300 firearms, ammunition, and gun accessories across the U.S.-Mexico border. U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced that Emilio Ramirez Cortes, 48, a legal U.S. resident originally from Mexico, and his son, Edgar Emilio Ramirez Diaz, have been charged with smuggling and trafficking firearms and ammunition.
Both men were arrested and have already made their initial appearances in Laredo federal court. They are being held in custody until a detention hearing scheduled for October 31.
Federal officials said the arrest is part of a larger effort to halt the illegal movement of weapons into Mexico, where firearms are often funneled to dangerous cartels.
“Disrupting the illegal flow of weapons into Mexico is a key part of our whole-of-government approach to dismantling the cartels,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “This significant seizure represents our commitment to protecting Americans from brutal cartel violence.”
U.S. Attorney Ganjei emphasized the broader implications of the arrest. “Those that illegally traffic guns to Mexico empower cartels to terrorize the innocent,” he said. “This seizure of an immense quantity of firearms illustrates the Southern District of Texas’s full-spectrum approach to fighting the cartels. We will attack every facet of their operations until they are wiped off the face of the earth.”
Massive Seizure at Texas Border
According to court documents, the arrests took place on October 23 at the Juarez-Lincoln Port of Entry in Laredo, Texas. Authorities say two vehicles were traveling closely together and drew suspicion. Ramirez Diaz was allegedly driving a Chevrolet Tahoe with Alabama license plates, while Ramirez Cortes followed behind in a Chevrolet Silverado bearing Mexican license plates. Both vehicles were pulling enclosed white box utility trailers.
Investigators inspected the trailers and discovered that both had hidden compartments built into the walls. Behind those false walls, authorities uncovered a massive cache of weapons—more than 300 rifles and pistols—as well as large quantities of various calibers of ammunition and magazines.
Ongoing Investigation into Repeated Smuggling
The criminal complaint alleges that this was not an isolated incident. Investigators believe the father and son have smuggled weapons across the border on multiple occasions in exchange for payment. The seized weapons were allegedly destined for criminal groups in Mexico, where American firearms are often used in violent cartel-related crimes.
Both men now face federal charges that carry serious consequences. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to uncover the full scope of the smuggling operation.
The case is being prosecuted in the Southern District of Texas, and officials say it represents a key piece of the broader fight against organized crime networks trafficking in deadly weapons.
