DEL RIO, Texas – A Mexican national convicted in a firearms trafficking conspiracy was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after authorities said he was caught trying to smuggle guns into Mexico through Eagle Pass.
Jose De La Cruz-Cardoza, 52, of Piedras Negras, was sentenced in federal court in Del Rio to 180 months in prison for conspiracy to traffic firearms. He was also fined $15,000.
According to court documents, Cruz-Cardoza made a negative declaration for firearms, ammunition or currency over $10,000 during an outbound inspection at the Eagle Pass Port of Entry on July 12, 2025.
A U.S. Customs and Border Protection search of his vehicle found eight handguns and 19 magazines.
Court documents say Cruz-Cardoza told investigators he would be paid between $150 and $200 for each firearm he smuggled to Mexico, and that he had smuggled firearms on about 10-12 previous occasions. He pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to traffic firearms in September.
Investigators said the case also led to a search in San Antonio. On July 16, 2025, agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, along with the San Antonio Police Department and ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, executed a search warrant at the San Antonio residence of co-conspirator Reymundo Hernandez-Nino, described as an illegal alien.
Authorities said 24 firearms were immediately recovered, including handguns, AR-15 style assault rifles, and a shotgun. ATF also recovered more than 4,000 rounds of ammunition and multiple sets of body armor.
Based on other evidence obtained during the investigation, ATF determined the weapons, ammunition, and accessories were bound for a Mexican drug cartel.
“My office remains committed to prosecuting the most serious criminal conspiracies, particularly those benefiting Mexican drug cartels,” Simmons said. “Great things happen when aggressive prosecutors are combined with federal law enforcement agencies determined to disrupt and ultimately dismantle criminal organizations without concern for which agency ultimately gets the credit. This case is the model for how a Homeland Security Task Force should work.”
“The illegal trafficking of firearms to Mexico directly fuels cartel violence and threatens the safety and communities on both sides of the border,” ATF Special Agent in Charge Michael Weddel said. “ATF remains committed to working with our federal, state, local, and international partners to identify and disrupt firearms trafficking networks and hold those responsible, accountable.”
Several co-defendants have also pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing. Co-defendant Francisco Cardoza Jr. pleaded guilty in October to one count of conspiracy to traffic firearms and is scheduled to be sentenced on April 23. Edgar Josue Montelongo-Loera pleaded guilty to the same charge on Feb. 23 and is pending a sentence hearing. Hernandez-Nino and Kenia Lizbeth Montelongo both pleaded guilty to two counts each on Feb. 26 and are awaiting sentencing.
ATF and ICE are investigating the case with assistance from state and local partners.