Maricopa County identified as primary hub for guns smuggled into Mexico

John Lindsay-Poland, coordinator of Stop US Arms to Mexico, presented evidence that Maricopa County has become the chief conduit for illegal firearms entering Mexico, accounting for more than half of traced weapons in 2024. The ATF’s "time to crime" metric shows assault-style rifles and large-caliber guns are bought legally in Arizona and quickly recovered at Mexican crime scenes. Investigators highlighted a federal indictment involving Phoenix resident Fernando Daniel Castro, who allegedly hired straw purchasers to funnel dozens of firearms across the border.

Data from the Corridors of Violence report indicates that three U.S. counties—Maricopa, Pima and Harris—supply the majority of guns seized in Mexico. Factors cited include the county’s urban density, permissive sales practices, and the use of existing drug-smuggling routes for weapon transport. Recent reporting also described a teenage network called "The Phoenix Boys" that coordinates purchases via encrypted messaging apps. Experts argue that tighter sales limits and voluntary merchant restrictions could curb the flow feeding Mexican organized crime.