<p>TUCSON, Ariz. — A Tucson man has been sentenced to 6 ½ years in federal prison for smuggling firearms and ammunition into Mexico.</p>
<p>Prosecutors said 31-year-old Ruben Arnulfo Chavarin also was fined more than $10,000.</p>
<p>On 14 occasions between December 2010 and February 2011, prosecutors said Chavarin purchased eight firearms and over 21,000 rounds of ammunition in Tucson. </p>
<p>They said he provided the firearms and more than 12,500 rounds of ammunition to co-conspirators to be smuggled out of the U.S. and into Mexico. </p>
<p>In February 2011, authorities said Chavarin attempted to personally smuggle 8,700 rounds of ammunition into Mexico, but was arrested at the Port of Entry in Douglas, Arizona. </p>
<p>Subsequent investigation revealed that shortly before his arrest, Chavarin had ordered 16 AK-47 style rifles and 10,000 rounds of ammunition, which he also intended to smuggle into Mexico.</p>
<p>While under indictment for seven weapons trafficking offenses, Chavarin fled to Mexico.</p>
<p>He remained a fugitive for nine years until his arrest in 2020.</p>
