Phoenix man sentenced to 12 years in prison for smuggling firearms, drugs following multiagency investigation
PHOENIX, Ariz. – A local area man was sentenced April 25, to 12 years in prison for his role in smuggling firearms and munitions from the United States into Mexico and for drug trafficking. This multiagency investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigation (HSI), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the United States Border Patrol.
Pedro Adan Sevilla, 25, of Phoenix, Arizona, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to smuggle goods from the United States, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
“This sentencing sends a clear message to those contemplating in engaging in smuggling activity,” said Scott Brown, special agent in charge for HSI Phoenix. “Criminals like this defendant should think twice. HSI and our law enforcement partners, working together, will seek, investigate, and ultimately bring to justice all those who seek to disregard our nation’s laws.”
Sevilla’s co-defendant, Francisco Dario Mora, 28, of Tucson, Arizona, was previously sentenced on April 29, 2021, to five years in prison for his role in the smuggling activity. Last week, the federal judge also issued a final order of forfeiture for the value of the firearms and munitions in the amount of $32,663.48 against both defendants and ordered $12,970 cash forfeited against Sevilla.
In Sept. 2019, ATF initiated an investigation into firearms purchased by Mora and Sevilla that were recovered in Mexico by Mexican law enforcement officials. Special agents discovered that from June 2019 through Sept. 2019, Mora and Sevilla conspired to export 40 firearms to Mexico, including AK-type rifles and AR-type pistols, 25,000 rounds of ammunition, and 760 AK-type and AR-type magazines. During this time frame, Mora purchased at least 19 firearms, one of which was recovered in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico just 27 days after he purchased it. Sevilla purchased at least 21 firearms, two of which were recovered in Mexico a short time after they were purchased. Mora and Sevilla spent approximately $45,000 for the firearms and ammunition and crossed into Mexico from the United States on several dates to deliver the firearms and munitions.
On Nov. 13, 2019, ATF agents executed search warrants on residences and vehicles tied to Mora and Sevilla in Tucson and Phoenix. During the search of Sevilla’s Phoenix residence, agents located a safe in his bedroom where they found 19 grams of cocaine and 11.9 pounds of fentanyl pills. Agents also located a bag inside the bedroom that contained six bags of fentanyl pills, an AR-type pistol with a loaded magazine, $12,970 cash, and a digital narcotics scale.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Serra M. Tsethlikai, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.
HSI is a directorate of ICE and the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel, and finance move. HSI’s workforce of over 10,400 employees consists of more than 7,100 special agents assigned to 220 cities throughout the United States, and 80 overseas locations in 53 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’s largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.
Learn more about HSI’s mission to combat smuggling activity @HSIPhoenix.
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