A California- based Filipino mother and her son were charged of international smuggling of gun parts illegally in the Philippines. The mother, Marlou Mendoza, 60 years old, was arrested last month at Los Angeles International Airport after she arrived from a trip to the Philippines. While her son, Mark Mendoza, 30 years old, was believed to be hiding in the Philippines.
Allegedly, the two smuggled ammunition parts to the Philippines in 2011 by labelling it as household goods. Marlou Mendoza was reported to have failed in submitting any legal document indicating that she has the permit to ship ammunitions on international grounds on three dates of that same year.
Yahoo News reported that the federal prosecutors said both mother and son were charged separately last month. Marlou Mendoza was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport after she had returned from her trip to her native country, Philippines.
She was said to have pleaded guilty and still free while waiting for her trial. She was arraigned last January 20 with an order release of $10,000 bond while awaiting the trial set in March. If she would be convicted guilty on her trial, she would have to face 15 years in a federal prison.
Meanwhile, her son, Mark Mendoza claimed that he was a president of a tools and equipments company called Last Resort Armaments. It was alleged that he used the company for ordering more than a $100,000 worth of ammunition accessories. He was charged of conspiracy, money laundering, illegal smuggling, and unlawful exports of ammunitions. If convicted, he would face 115 years in a federal prison..
Marlou Mendoza was arrested with the joint forces of the Los Angeles Police and Philippine authorities. While her son, Mark Louie Mendoza is still at large and hunted by the authorities in the Philippines where he is believed to be hiding.
