Federal Crackdown on Cartel-Linked Gun Trafficking

Federal agencies, including the ATF and Homeland Security, have intensified operations across Georgia, Kentucky, and Ohio to disrupt firearms and drug trafficking networks linked to Mexican drug cartels. Recent crackdowns resulted in the seizure of over 200 firearms, large amounts of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and significant cash; in Atlanta alone, at least 14 people were arrested. In Louisville, a ring smuggling guns to Mexico and returning with drugs was dismantled, with nearly 60 guns and 62 kilograms of cocaine seized. Nationwide, authorities have intercepted nearly 9,700 firearms headed to Mexico since January, often acquired through straw purchasers. Officials emphasize the threat posed by U.S.-sourced weapons fueling cartel violence in Mexico and highlight the importance of interagency cooperation. These efforts are part of broader initiatives to combat international trafficking pipelines and address gun-related crime on both sides of the border.