[Smokin' Joe]

I asked the same question because, as you pointed out: "It would be so much cheaper to go to Chavez, or any one of a dozen other cheaper places if you are a drug dealer looking for guns."

The only reason I can surmise is that our tax dollars paid for the guns. Who would pass up a freebie throw away crime gun (to be) among the Cartels?

[MMaschin]

“The only reason I can surmise is that our tax dollars paid for the guns. Who would pass up a freebie throw away crime gun (to be) among the Cartels?”.

There is another reason - it’s MUCH easier to bring them across the US border. Mexico controls all of it’s borders (other than to the US) very tightly. It leaves the border to the US wide open so that illegals can cross over into the US.