A Phoenix couple is accused of buying a sniper rifle for the Sinaloa Mexican drug cartel.
Another weapon of this type was found in Mexico in January and traced to a straw buy in Phoenix.
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Phoenix police report that on March 20 Jonathan Ibarra Alarcon, 31, had his wife, 22-year-old Erica Jean Ibarra-Alarcon, purchase a Barrett 82A1 sniper rifle for $10,000 from a licensed gun store in Phoenix.
The weapon is capable of firing .50-caliber rounds, according to the manufacturer's website, and is currently used by the U.S. and other military forces.
Police soon pulled over their car near 7th Street and Bethany Home Road, where police say Jonathan told them he was given $13,000 to buy the gun and was allowed to keep the remainder of the money as payment for the purchase. He allegedly admitted the rifle would be, "going south to Mexico and the Sinaloa cartel."
Police say Erica has a false address and lied on an ATF form stating the gun was for her. Jonathan reportedly said he was approached about a week before the straw sale and after finding the rifle on the internet, had his wife make the purchase.
The Alarcons have been charged with forgery and weapons misconduct charges.
