Tucson Woman Indicted for Smuggling 8,000 Rounds to Mexico

Andrea Villalva, a 32-year-old Tucson resident, has been indicted for attempting to smuggle 8,000 rounds of 5.56 XP193 rifle ammunition into Mexico, discovered during a March 7 inspection at the DeConcini Port of Entry in Nogales, Arizona. She allegedly confessed to having previously smuggled ammunition on three occasions and was to be paid $150 per box for successful deliveries. If convicted, Villalva faces up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice aimed at combating illegal immigration and dismantling transnational criminal organizations. The prosecution will be handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie A. Sottosanti, with the investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations. An indictment does not imply guilt, as individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty.