Bond set for three suspects

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PHOTOS: Weapons, suspects
VIDEO: Bond set for suspects
VIDEO: Cartel ties
VIDEO: Gun shop raid

UPDATE: May 14

PHOENIX - Phoenix police have confirmed that six guns seized in a raid in Mexico were directly connected to X Caliber Guns here in Phoenix. Those guns were part of a cache of weapons the Mexican Cartels have been using to operate their illegal operations, including the assassination of Mexacan Police and Military Officials.

UPDATE: Wednesday morning

PHOENIX -- A Phoenix gun shop's been closed down after the owner was arrested, accused of providing hundreds of guns to drug cartels in Mexico.

Some 1,300 weapons were seized during raids at X Caliber Guns and the owner's home.

Two brothers accused of working for a Mexican drug cartel also were arrested. They allegedly recruited "straw buyers" to go into gun store and purchase weapons that would then be trafficked to the cartels.

Bond for gun shop owner George Iknadosian was set at $75,000. A judge also ordered electronic monitoring of the 46-year-old Glendale man if released on bail.

Bond for each of the two brothers, both Mexican citizens in this country legally, was set at $100,000.

Investigators allege Iknadosian sold at lest 650 guns to drug cartels through straw buyers.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

ORIGINAL REPORT

PHOENIX -- Three men have been arrested following an 11-month investigation into a gun trafficking ring in north Phoenix.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms says its agents are searching a Valley gun shop in connection with weapons sent to Mexico.

According to ATF, the suspects are accused of sending assault rifles from Arizona to Mexico and into the hands of the drug cartel.

ATF officials say at least 650 assault rifles came from XCalibur Guns, which is located on Cave Creek Road just south of Thunderbird Road.

The owner is suspected of partnering with two brothers who would transport the firearms into Mexico.

Search and seizure warrants were served at the gun shop and the owner's home.

The owner and the two brothers were arrested. They are identified as George Iknadosian, 46, Cesar Bojorquez-Gamez, 28, and Hugo Miguel Gamez, 26.

There was also money laundering, fraud and forgery associated with the organization.

Police say that more arrests are possible.

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