Sonoran Man Sentenced to Over 3 Years in Prison for Attempting to Smuggle Firearms into Mexico

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Abel Airam Franco Garcia, 22, of Sonora, Mexico, was sentenced on Monday by United States District Judge Steven P. Logan to 37 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. Franco Garcia previously pleaded guilty to Smuggling Goods from the United States.  

On June 25, 2024, Franco Garcia, a Mexican citizen, was stopped at the San Luis, Arizona Port of Entry as he tried to leave the United States. A search of his car led to the discovery of four firearms, six magazines (including two high-capacity magazines), ammunition, and suspected fentanyl. Franco Garcia admitted that he had driven to Phoenix earlier that day, and that individuals were paying him to transport the firearms to Mexico.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice has launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Goldberg, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.

CASE NUMBER:           CR 24-01250-PHX-SPL
RELEASE NUMBER:    2025-051_ Franco Garcia

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