A Phoenix woman was indicted for allegedly trying to smuggle 20 rifles, an RPG launcher tube, and other weapons into Mexico.
A federal grand jury charged Migdelia Irma Mendoza, 42, with attempting to smuggle goods from the United States, the Justice Department said in a news release.
Mendoza allegedly tried to cross into Mexico through the DeConcini Port of Entry in Nogales on April 19 when officers inspected her Lexus.
They folded up the car’s rear seat and noticed black fabric that didn’t appear to be part of the car, the DOJ said. Underneath the covering, they could feel solid objects.
A closer search revealed an arsenal of weapons. Officers said they found four AR-style rifles, 16 AK-style rifles, one AK-style pistol, one RPG-7 launcher tube, 20 firearm pistol grips, 16 rifle buttstocks and 24 AK-style firearm magazines, the Justice Department said.
“These items are prohibited by U.S. law for export without a valid U.S. government issued export license, which Mendoza did not possess,” the DOJ said in a news release.
Mendoza was charged on May 12, according to a court filing.
The investigation was led by a Homeland Security Task Force that President Donald Trump established by executive order in January 2025, the Justice Department said.
Stephanie Murray covers national politics and the Trump administration for The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. She also co-hosts “The Gaggle,” The Republic’s weekly politics podcast. Reach her via email at stephanie.murray@usatodayco.com and on social media @stephanie_murr.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix woman accused in smuggling of 20 rifles into Mexico
