Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco addresses the Southbound Firearms Trafficking Coordination Meeting, emphasizes collaboration in combating gun violence

 Washington, DC - In a gathering of law enforcement officials and government representatives, Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco delivered a powerful speech at the Southbound Firearms Trafficking Coordination Meeting on Wednesday, June 14, 2023. The event, hosted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), focused on the shared mission of safeguarding the American people and disrupting illegal firearms trafficking networks.

Expressing her gratitude to the ATF and its dedicated workforce, Deputy Attorney General Monaco acknowledged the commitment of all attendees towards combatting the epidemic of gun violence that has deeply affected communities across the nation. Notable figures present at the meeting included Deputy Secretary John Tien, Deputy Homeland Security Advisor Josh Geltzer, and Ambassador Ken Salazar.

Deputy Attorney General Monaco stressed the importance of a united and comprehensive approach to address the magnitude of gun and drug trafficking networks that pose a significant threat. She highlighted the ATF's efforts to prevent the trafficking of illegal firearms within the United States, particularly emphasizing the alarming rise of "ghost guns" that have exacerbated the problem.

Of particular concern is the trafficking of firearms from the United States into Mexico, which significantly contributes to violence and instability in the region. Deputy Attorney General Monaco underscored the devastating consequences of these weapons falling into the hands of drug cartels, leading to intimidation, challenges to state authority, and an expansion of the deadly drug trade back into the United States. She also paid tribute to the bravery of Mexican security forces in their pursuit of justice.

The Department of Justice has taken significant steps to combat this pressing challenge. Deputy Attorney General Monaco outlined four key initiatives aimed at tackling firearms trafficking. First, through Operation Southbound, a joint effort with Mexican law enforcement partners, the DOJ has increased operations to disrupt the trafficking of firearms from the U.S. to Mexico. This collaborative approach has yielded positive results, with a substantial increase in firearm seizures and ammunition recovery.

Secondly, in partnership with the Government of Mexico, the DOJ has expanded access to the ATF's eTrace system, enabling Mexican law enforcement to track crime guns swiftly and identify their origin and purchaser. The utilization of this system has proven effective, leading to successful traces on a significant number of firearms.

Additionally, the Department of Justice established a new cartel weapons trafficking group, led by U.S. Attorneys, along the Southwest border. This strategic initiative has taken decisive action against firearm-trafficking networks, contributing to the disruption of criminal operations.

Lastly, the DOJ has utilized new criminal authorities provided by the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to hold firearms traffickers accountable. Over 100 defendants have already been charged with violations of these provisions, and the firearms-trafficking offense has seen substantial progress, particularly in border-state U.S. Attorneys' Offices.

Deputy Attorney General Monaco highlighted notable investigations and prosecutions resulting from these initiatives, exemplifying the fruitful collaboration between U.S. and Mexican law enforcement. Notable cases include the arrest of Michel Bacasegua-Barriga, the alleged leader of a transnational firearms trafficking group, and the prosecution of Roberto Lugardo Moreno Jr., who straw-purchased a firearm in Texas linked to a high-profile kidnapping and murder in Matamoros.

Deputy Attorney General Monaco urged attendees to redouble their efforts in combating firearms trafficking by emphasizing data-driven approaches, maintaining momentum during the summer months, and strengthening cooperation with Mexican partners. She also revealed plans to work closely with a newly established unit in Mexico focused on firearms trafficking, with the aim of enhancing information sharing and tracing seized firearms back to their source in the United States.

The upcoming U.S.-Mexico High-Level Security Dialogue was highlighted as an opportunity for senior officials from both countries to prioritize shared security interests, including combating firearms trafficking.

In conclusion, Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco expressed her gratitude to all attendees for their unwavering dedication to combating violent gun trafficking networks. She expressed confidence in their leadership and underscored the vital importance of their work in keeping communities safe.

The Southbound Firearms Trafficking Coordination Meeting served as a testament to the commitment and collaboration necessary to address the pressing issue of firearms trafficking and protect the safety and well-being of the American people.

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Three-Month Campaign Leads to 165 Firearms Seized and 29 Prosecutions for Gun, Drug, and Violent Crimes

SAN DIEGO – A three-month campaign aimed at reducing violent crime in San Diego County has yielded significant results, with law enforcement officials announcing the seizure of 165 firearms, including 82 "ghost guns," and the prosecution of 29 individuals.

The Privately Made Firearm Crime Reduction Project, which ran from February to May, targeted gun violence and the proliferation of ghost guns in San Diego. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the San Diego Police Department employed data analytics to identify areas experiencing a rise in gun violence and the recovery of crime guns. Utilizing an intelligence-led policing approach, they strategically allocated resources to have the greatest impact.

Throughout the 90-day initiative, law enforcement personnel conducted nearly 88 operations, employing undercover techniques, surveillance, social media monitoring, and the use of confidential informants and undercover agents. These efforts were dedicated to removing firearms from the hands of criminals and enhancing community safety. Undercover operations, search warrants, and arrest warrants were executed to primarily target individuals involved in the illegal possession, manufacture, and sale of firearms, particularly ghost guns without serial numbers or identifying marks.

During a recent news conference, authorities revealed the outcomes of the operation, showcasing 81 firearms seized, including machine guns, Glock Switches, short-barrel rifles, pistols, and silencers. Notably, a significant number of the seized weapons were fully automatic. Alongside the firearms, investigators also recovered approximately 66 pounds of methamphetamine, 1.4 kilograms of powder fentanyl, 4,300 fentanyl pills, and 2.25 kilograms of cocaine.

Currently, 22 defendants face federal charges, while an additional seven are facing state charges related to various gun and drug crimes. The federal charges include Dealing in Firearms without a License, Possession of a Machine Gun, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Assault of a Federal Agent, Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Violent Crime, and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking. Drug charges involve the distribution of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine.

The increase in ghost guns is a growing concern, with approximately 20,000 suspected ghost guns reported to the ATF as recovered in criminal investigations last year alone, marking a ten-fold increase since 2016. Due to the absence of serial numbers, tracing these weapons back to their purchasers is an arduous task for law enforcement.

At the local level, the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) has received a federal grant from the Department of Justice to enhance tracking of firearm-related crimes across the region. This effort includes monitoring firearm-involved crimes, tracking calls related to firearms, and conducting interviews with arrestees about their use of firearms and ghost guns.

According to SANDAG, the recovery of ghost guns by local law enforcement agencies in San Diego County has surged by 401 percent from 2019 to 2021. In the city of San Diego, approximately one-quarter of the firearms recovered at crime scenes and during investigations in 2021 were privately manufactured and lacked serial numbers.

Although preliminary numbers suggest a decrease in ghost gun seizures in 2022, the overall rate remains significantly higher than in previous years.

U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman emphasized the operation's success in enhancing public safety, stating, "Every illegal gun that is removed from criminal hands makes us safer, and for that reason, this operation was a tremendous success." Grossman expressed gratitude towards the prosecution team and commended the dedication and bravery of ATF agents and San Diego Police Department officers involved in the operation.

ATF Los Angeles Field Division Special Agent in Charge Christopher Bombardiere highlighted the significance of the Privately Made Firearms Crime Reduction Project, emphasizing its focus on targeting violent individuals engaged in the unlawful manufacture and sale of powerful firearms without a license. He underscored the impact of the initiative, which led to the seizure of 165 firearms, including approximately half being privately made firearms and one-third being unregistered National Firearms Act (NFA) weapons such as machine guns, machine gun conversion devices, short-barreled rifles, and silencers.

San Diego Police Department Chief David Nisleit reaffirmed the department's commitment to combatting the proliferation of drugs and firearms in local communities. He praised the collaborative efforts and effectiveness of the operation in removing drugs, firearms, and criminals from the streets.

In 2021, the San Diego Police Department established the Ghost Gun Apprehension Team, one of the first units of its kind in the nation, to investigate unlawful ghost gun manufacturing and sales cases. The team assists patrol officers, detectives, and specialized units when encountering ghost guns during arrests or investigations.

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan emphasized the continued commitment to working with state and federal partners to conduct targeted operations that enhance neighborhood safety. The operation not only resulted in the seizure of illegal guns but also prevented the distribution of dangerous drugs and potential fatal overdoses.

The operation highlighted several notable cases, including the illegal sale of ghost guns by an active-duty U.S. Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton, the sale of fentanyl pills and guns by a convicted robber, and an assault on a federal agent during an undercover operation involving the purchase of a machine gun.

The defendants facing charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty, and the charges and allegations contained in the indictment or complaint are merely accusations.

The successful campaign demonstrates law enforcement's commitment to addressing violent crime, reducing the presence of ghost guns, and enhancing community safety in San Diego County.