3 Indicted For Trafficking 'Ghost Guns' From Pennsylvania To NJ

NEW JERSEY — A South Jersey man and two Philadelphia men have been indicted on charges they trafficked untraceable “ghost guns” from Pennsylvania into New Jersey, Acting Attorney General Andrew J. Bruck announced.

Eduardo T. Lazo Jr., 26, of Camden, is accused of organizing a weapons trafficking ring that transported partially assembled firearms from Pennsylvania into New Jersey, authorities said.

Lazo, 29-year-old Juan Enrique Fernandez and 31-year-old Ericknell Rivera-Mercado, both of Philadelphia, then sold them fully assembled in New Jersey, authorities said.

The guns were sold without the serial numbers mandated by state and federal law to allow law enforcement to trace them, according to authorities.

In all, they are accused of selling six AR-style ghost assault rifles, nine ghost 9 mm handguns, nine illegal large-capacity magazines, and one silencer, according to authorities.

“Indictments like this are one part of our comprehensive strategy to combat gun violence and dismantle the criminal networks that funnel illegal firearms into New Jersey,” Bruck said. “We are committed to keeping New Jerseyans safe by prosecuting criminals contributing to the flow of these dangerous weapons into our communities.”

The three men were arrested on Aug. 16, according to authorities. At that time, detectives executed search warrants at locations in Camden and Philadelphia where the ring allegedly assembled the guns, authorities said.

During those searches, additional weapons were seized, authorities said. They said they seized four more fully assembled ghost handguns (one of which was fully automatic), a fully assembled ghost assault rifle, parts for another ghost handgun, parts for five ghost assault rifles, many rounds of ammunition, and nine large-capacity magazines, including 50- and 60-round drum magazines.

They were initially charged on Sept. 1, with the indictments being handed down on Tuesday. Read more here: 3 Charged With Making 'Ghost Guns' In PA, Selling Them In NJ

“Ghost gun traffickers are fueling the violence and death associated with gun crimes while equipping criminals with the means to get away with it. These weapons are virtually impossible to trace by law enforcement after the commission of a crime,” New Jersey State Police Superintendent Col. Patrick J. Callahan said. “Today’s indictment demonstrates our commitment, along with our federal, state, county, and local law enforcement partners, to dismantle trafficking rings that are supplying ghost guns to dangerous criminals, and it sends a strong message that those responsible will be held accountable for their actions.”

Lazo, Fernandez, and Rivera-Mercado are each charged with various counts of second-degree conspiracy, second-degree transporting weapons into the state for unlawful sale or transfer, five counts of second-degree unlawful possession of an assault firearm, eight counts of third-degree unlawful possession of a firearm without a serial number, five counts of third-degree manufacture, transport, disposition of an assault firearm and eight counts of third-degree transporting a manufactured firearm without a serial number.

In addition, Lazo and Fernandez are charged with five counts of second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, eight counts of fourth-degree unlawful possession of large capacity ammunition magazines, four counts of fourth-degree manufacture, transport, disposition of a weapon and seven counts of fourth-degree manufacture, transport, disposition of large capacity ammunition magazines.

Lazo is also charged with third-degree purchasing firearm parts to manufacture a firearm without a serial number, third-degree unlawful possession of a sawed-off shotgun, third-degree manufacture, transport, disposition of a sawed-off shotgun and second-degree certain persons not to have weapons.

Lazo and Rivera-Mercado are charged with third-degree unlawful possession of a sawed-off shotgun, fourth-degree unlawful possession of a firearm silencer, third-degree manufacture, transport, disposition of a sawed-off shotgun and fourth-degree manufacture, transport, disposition of a firearm silencer.

The charges stem from a collaborative investigation led by the New Jersey State Police (NJSP) Crime Suppression South Unit, New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice Gangs and Organized Crime Bureau, Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office Gun Violence Task Force and Bureau of Narcotics Investigation, and U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The NJSP Gangs & Organized Crime South Unit, NJSP Motor Vehicle Crimes South Unit, NJSP Trafficking South Unit, and Philadelphia Police Department assisted in the investigation.

“The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General works closely with our law enforcement partners in New Jersey to shut down gun traffickers and stop the flow of ghost guns between our two states,” Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro said. “This work is getting results, and we will keep fighting to get the guns off our streets and stop the violence that too often tears apart families and communities.”

“Let this indictment serve as a warning for those looking to capitalize on the illegal gun trade,” said Director Lyndsay V. Ruotolo of the Division of Criminal Justice. “You will be held accountable, and face serious criminal charges. We will continue to collaborate across all of our local, state, and federal partners in order to aggressively prosecute those who traffic illegal assault rifles and untraceable weapons into our communities.”

See related: Gun Trafficking Ring In Camden County Busted; 11 Indicted