Undercover sting results in weapons bust, reveals local cartel ties

Austin police have arrested three people for trying to buy weapons for a Mexican drug cartel.

Narcotics officers took 29-year-old Juan Carillo-Gallegos, 26-year-old Jorge Joaquin Garcia and 31-year old Mary Louis Siller into custody last Thursday after an investigation called “Operation Black Stone.”

The undercover operation ended when the suspects tried to buy five fully automatic weapons from an officer.

Police believe the guns were bought for the ZETA cartel and were going to be transported to Mexico.

After the arrest, officers were informed about a San Antonio house there they were able to find five semi-automatic weapons.

"We know from experience, they're getting the guns down here to arm themselves down for the constant battle control that they're having with the other cartels," Cmdr. Donald Baker said.

Operation Black Stone was a joint investigation with the Austin Homeland Security Division, ATF and the U.S. Attorney's office.

Photos courtesy the Austin Police Department.