Arizona couple bought high-powered rifle for Mexican cartel, police say

(Phoenix Police Department)

A couple from Phoenix purchased a $10,000 sniper rifle from a licensed gun store on behalf of a Mexican drug cartel, police say.

According to the police report obtained by abc15.com, Jonathan Ibarra Alarcon, 31, had his wife, 22-year-old Erica Jean Ibarra-Alarcon, purchase a Barrett 82A1 that was meant to end in criminal hands south of the border.

The 50-caliber rifle is currently used by the U.S. and other military forces, the news outlet reported.

The woman allegedly gave a false address and lied on an ATF form stating the gun was for her, police say.

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The Alarcons were charged with forgery and weapons misconduct charges for the March 20 purchase.

Upon arrest, Jonathan Ibarra-Alarcon reportedly told police he was approached about a week before the straw sale and admitted the rifle’s destination was the Sinaloa cartel.

He also said he was given $13,000 to buy the gun and was allowed to keep the remainder of the money as payment for the service provided.

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The arrests take place just week after another Phoenix man was charged for buying a high-powered rifle and giving it to criminal gang in Mexico shortly after.

In that case, police said Armando Oliveros bought a .50 caliber Barrett rifle from a local gunshot and hours later allegedly crossed the border with the weapon, which was eventually recovered and traced back to Oliveros.