US

‘Operation Castaway’: Did ATF Sell Guns to Honduran Gangs Too?

The “Project Gunrunner” case is now pointing towards possible ATF sales of weapons bound for Honduras, including a reported 1,000 guns to members of the ruthless MS-13 gang. The program may be a spinoff or in some way related to “Operation Castaway,“ and in reports it sounds remarkably similar to ”Operation Fast and Furious.”

Operation Castaway: Did ATF Sell Guns to Honduran Gangs Too?

Last week, the Blaze reported on the controversy surrounding “Operation Fast and Furious,” an offshoot of the Project Gunrunner program. The Attorney General is under scrutiny after allegations that the ATF knowingly allowed straw buyers in the US to purchase weapons bound for Mexican drug cartels and “let them walk,” meaning they dropped surveillance on the buyers and lost track of the weapons.There are also accusations that as part of the Project Gunrunner program, ATF agents told gun store owners to sell to suspected criminals, against the owners’ objections, and that there was a top down ATF policy that accepted the weapons would cross international boundaries.

Now, there may be even more questions for the AG coming from Congress, as “Operation Castaway” or a similar area program may have placed weapons in the hands of MS-13, an international criminal syndicate.

New reporting in Examiner links the tactics and procedures of the “Fast and Furious” with “Operation Castaway,” and claims that Castaway may have delivered weapons to the notoriously violent MS-13 gang in Honduras. The Examiner’s post cites this September 2010 press release, from the Department of Justice, Middle District of Florida, to link Tampa ATF operations with the Project Gunrunner fiasco. Examiner also claims that:

“Virginia O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives  Tampa Field Division, ran a gun-running investigation that was walking guns to Honduras using the techniques and tactics identical to Fast and Furious, it was reported to these correspondents this evening via private correspondence from a proven credible source.”

Though a connection between the Gunrunner scandal and the Tampa ATF operation described above has not been definitively established, the Examiner is already accusing the Tampa ATF of a cover-up, writing:

“There are emails in existence where O’Brien has advised those involved that Tampa does not have to report their walked guns because Tampa FD is not a part of Southwest Border or Project Gunrunner. From a first person source she is sh*tting herself trying to cover it up.”

The political stakes for this case in Washington are high, and pressure is mounting on the Department of Justice and the Obama administration to fully explain Project Gunrunner to Congress. Thegatewaypundit has a post linking a Fox News video that lays out the fight on Capitol Hill currently underway, including rumors that a special prosecutor is being requested. Others, such as Congressman Darrell Issa and Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa, just want a straight answer. Sen. Grassley is on camera stating “Either they were ignorant, or they were lying to us.

Operation Castaway: Did ATF Sell Guns to Honduran Gangs Too?

Congress gave the ATF $21 million in 2009, including $10 million in stimulus funds, and a year later the ATF was given $37 million more to expand  Project Gunrunner.

In May, District Attorney Holder stated before Congress that he learned of the “Fast and Furious” program ‘over the last few weeks.’

Comments (120)

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  • gpk
    Posted on July 11, 2011 at 3:27pm

    Arrest Holder.

    Report Post »  
  • gpk
    Posted on July 11, 2011 at 3:24pm

    Liberal: 9-1-1 may i help you? Lib: yes please send help…….. someone just broke into my home…….hurry…..please i just wet myself. Operator: help is on the way. Lib: hurry….damn i just crapped my pants.
    Conservative: 9-1-1 may i help you. Cons: send ambulance someone just tried to break into my home. Operator: are you all right? Cons: I’m fine i just shot the dumbass.
    Simple isn’t it.
    Lock & load.

    Report Post »  
    • Lesbian Packing Hollow Points
      Posted on July 11, 2011 at 4:17pm

      George Phillips of Meridian, Mississippi was going up to bed, when his wife told him that he’d left the light on in the garden shed, which she could see from the bedroom window.

      George opened the back door to go turn off the light, but saw that there were people in the shed stealing things.

      He phoned the police, who asked “Is someone in your house?“ He said ”No.“ Then they said ”All patrols were busy.. You should lock your doors and an officer will be along when one is available.”

      George said, “Okay” He hung up the phone and counted to 30. Then he phoned the police again.

      “Hello, I just called you a few seconds ago because there were people stealing things from my shed. Well, you don’t have to worry about them now because I just shot them.” and hung up.

      Within five minutes, six Police Cars, a SWAT Team, a Helicopter, two Fire Trucks, a Paramedic, and an Ambulance showed up at the Phillips’ residence, and caught the burglars red-handed.

      One of the Policemen said to George, “I thought you said that you shot them!”

      George said, “I thought you said there was nobody available!”

      Report Post » Lesbian Packing Hollow Points  
    • vennoye
      Posted on July 11, 2011 at 5:03pm

      Lesbian Packing Hollow Points
      Love that story!!!

      Report Post » vennoye  
  • Rogue
    Posted on July 11, 2011 at 3:24pm

    If you personally were to sell a gun illegally, you face up to $10,000 fine and 10 years in prison. Am I to assume that if you arrange for the illegal sale of a gun (like our governement did in this case), you also could be charged? Whoever is responsible, and all those who knew about the operation and did nothing, should be charged for each and every gun taht was given to criminal organizations with no oversight. Oh nevermind, laws do not apply to this administration.

    I really hope the family of the recently slain border agent files a civil case. That may be the only way to get to the bottom of who knew what, and who is responsible. It sounds like the family just wants answers, not a payday, so here’s to hoping there is no plea bargain before the truth comes out.

    Report Post » Rogue  
    • mammacub
      Posted on July 11, 2011 at 4:40pm

      Good points. Let us not forget Holder wanted to criminally charge CIA agents for Bush policy on water boarding. Think murder is a little more serious than that. Bring on real Justice.

      Report Post »  
  • Lesbian Packing Hollow Points
    Posted on July 11, 2011 at 3:18pm

    Can we disband the BATFE… *NOW*?????

    Report Post » Lesbian Packing Hollow Points  
    • Goldmember
      Posted on July 11, 2011 at 4:58pm

      This isn’t some action movie AG Holder. Real life seems to run up and bite Obamy in the @ss everytime his “crew” over reaches. This admin has an IQ of a terrorist.

      Report Post » Goldmember  
  • tbolt71
    Posted on July 11, 2011 at 3:12pm

    the last that i knew,treason was still a crime…it’s time to try,convict,and place a bullet in the head of every one involved…from the top down!!!!

    Report Post »  
  • Ponyexpress
    Posted on July 11, 2011 at 3:10pm

    Mr. Issa:

    The ATF scandal in which guns sold to Mexican cartel members by elements of the Justice department resulted in the death of a US border patrol agent prompted this letter.

    I looked at the list of agencies your oversight bunch is supposed to “oversee”

    There is not one agency that we would miss were it to be eliminated.
    Just one or two:

    USPS.
    It is broke, employs over 300,000 mostly non-skilled workers.
    It Costs us billions of dollars and distributes mostly junk mail.

    NLRB…Boeing. Need I say more?

    Here is one of my favorites:
    “Government organization, efficiency and financial management.”
    If I ever wanted to explain the word “oxymoron” I could not possibly find a better example.

    DEA:
    Drugs are cheaper and more available that ever.
    We have millions in jail for the possession of a substance that some would argue is less harmful than alcohol, yet DEA is trampling on constitutional rights every day, and costs us over 30 Billion a year

    And on and on
    .
    What is most disturbing, is that it would appear that your job and those of your members is to “oversee” ,and prevent the malfeasance of their charge, not get the tax payer to pay, and laugh all the way to the fat pensions and healthcare we pay for.

    Nobody ever gets fired or loses their job, let alone goes to jail or suffers any consequences worse that a publicly staged tongue lashing.

    As the holder of the purse strings, I do not understand it when we are informed by y

    Report Post » Ponyexpress  
  • wildbluyonder11
    Posted on July 11, 2011 at 3:06pm

    Y’all remember the joke that says “ATF? That should be the name of a convenience store, not a government agency”? Well, apparently they are taking it seriously. Next, they’ll be selling cigarettes and booze to little kids.

    Report Post »  
  • capecodsully
    Posted on July 11, 2011 at 3:03pm

    Eric Holder takes it upon himself to try terrorists caught in other countries here in the US, complete with Constitutional rights they should not have. So I was thinking the American people can take it upon themselves to decide where Holder will serve his 25 to life prison term. I’d like to suggest we send him to see Sheriff Arpaio for a few decades. Holder clearly has a love for Arizona law, and illegal aliens. He’d look great in pink. It’s a win win all the way around as far as I can see.

    Report Post »  
    • Smug
      Posted on July 12, 2011 at 5:53am

      Eric Holder dressed head to toe in pink, under the supervision of Sheriff Arpaio. I think I just felt a tingle run up my leg……………MSSMUG

      Report Post »  
  • SREGN
    Posted on July 11, 2011 at 3:02pm

    Bo-bo and Ho-ho need to go-go. Where is Congress?

    Report Post »  
    • CatB
      Posted on July 11, 2011 at 5:59pm

      He’s keeping them “occupied” with the budget mess …. I hope some are working on this while he thinks he is obstructing justice.

      Report Post »  
    • Fina Biscotti
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 11:55pm

      Exactly – CATN. He is keeping everyone busy – calling the bogus meetings – so that the LEGISLATIVE BRANCH of our US Government – does not operate on their own – without his involvement – as the Executive Branch of Government = TWO Separate Branches of Government.

      I heard something on Sean Hannity’s show – since the Republicans have the Majority in the House they should just pass legislation through the House – to assist our country to get out from underneath the FINANCIAL CRISIS caused by the WASTEFUL SPENDING of the obama administration – and if Obama and the democratic party stall this new legislation – then it is ALL on them – not wanting to do anything about the Financial Crisis.

      Have CUTS to Entitlements as part of The Plan if Raising the Debt Ceiling – along with the stipulation that for every dollar that Obama spends after the Debt Ceiling is raised – then a matching dollar occurs in cuts.

      Maybe we should contact House Speaker John Boehner’s office – and tell him to move forward with legislation –
      since Obama is only playing games – biding time – to force everyone to do his bidding.

      **********
      As far as Holder and Obama being exposed for SUPPLYING WEAPONS to Narco-Terrorists – and DRUG Gangs – to accommodate an ARMED FOREIGN INVASION – to force us to accept that Obama has overthrown the US Government, both Holder and Obama should be hung by their nutz in Spooky Dude’s doorway.

      Report Post »  
  • freeweever
    Posted on July 11, 2011 at 2:59pm

    Remember he,“Obama”, said we need a civilian army that is just as strong as the real army and just as well funded. Maybe this is Obama’s civilian army which will march on us with open borders and open arms, “firearms”, that we sold to them. Crazy thought but everything this guy does is crazy and purposefully backwards and anti US.

    Report Post » freeweever  
    • capecodsully
      Posted on July 11, 2011 at 3:08pm

      If this guy were in office eight years, that would be a whole lot of weapons shipped, maybe not such a crazy idea.

      Report Post »  
    • Countrygirl1362
      Posted on July 11, 2011 at 4:18pm

      Sadly it would not surprise me.

      Report Post »  
  • ME
    Posted on July 11, 2011 at 2:56pm

    Please I wish something would happen, or someone would do something, but I also KNOW that nothing will come of this ever. Look at TSA and even Texas would not pass some protection for its citizens, this was all decided in the civil war and the federal government won not the states rights people if your dumb enough to think it was only about slaves, I hope the government education is doing you good.

    Report Post » ME  
    • kapnkd
      Posted on July 11, 2011 at 3:30pm

      We ALL need to make as much noise as we can about this! I just contacted my Senators and Congressman – more of us should do the same:

      Senators x & y plus Congressman z,

      In learning of recent testimony given by BATF’s Director Kenneth Melson and the ever expanding information now coming forth regarding the traitorous action of “Fast & Furious” I FULLY expect for you to press hard for the prosecution of ALL key high level individuals involved or knowing about this criminal program.

      This being said, I am drawing your attention to:

      Official Summary – S.205 – 1/14/2009–Introduced Southwest Border Violence Reduction Act of 2009 – Directs the Attorney General to:

      (1) To expand resources for the Project Gunrunner initiative of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to identify, investigate, and prosecute firearms trafficking across the U.S.- Mexico border; and

      (2) Provide ATF agents, equipment, and training to assist Mexican law enforcement officers in combating firearms trafficking and other criminal enterprises.

      ‘Operation Gunrunner’ was before ‘Fast and Furious’ and then expanded to ‘Operation Castaway’. Since this all began in Congress, there’s no way possible that Holder, Obama, Napolitano and others can say they didn’t know anything about it.

      Do YOUR PATRIOTIC DUTY and vigorously and loudly call for the IMMEDIATE removal from offices and PROSECUTION to the FULL EXTENT OF THE LAW! Even if it leads to Obama!

      Report Post » kapnkd  
    • A Doctors Labor Is Not My Right
      Posted on July 11, 2011 at 4:28pm

      @kapnkd,

      “We ALL need to make as much noise as we can about this! I just contacted my Senators and Congressman – more of us should do the same:”

      Both Senators (and the new Governor) in California are Progressive traitors to my country and need to be tried for treason and sentenced to death; so we have a little more work to do in my state than the rest of you.

      Report Post »  
  • TRONINTHEMORNING
    Posted on July 11, 2011 at 2:55pm

    What horrible deeds this administration persists in carrying out. So sick of em and their evil. 2012

    Report Post »  
  • chips1
    Posted on July 11, 2011 at 2:55pm

    Waterboarding Obama would reveal the depth of the dangers.

    Report Post »  
  • NSDQ
    Posted on July 11, 2011 at 2:54pm

    Hoping someone has the stones to rip this thing apart and make heads roll

    Report Post » NSDQ  
    • quinteastwood
      Posted on July 11, 2011 at 3:06pm

      I love when people say I hope someone has the stones to do anything..STOP waiting for other people to act .Do something yourseld.See above post on The March For Freedom Jerryb5353@yahoo.com

      Report Post » quinteastwood  
    • quinteastwood
      Posted on July 11, 2011 at 3:11pm

      Instead of waiting for someone else why don’t you do something about it.Join the March For Freedom.

      See above post…Jerryb5353@yahoo,com

      Report Post » quinteastwood  
    • NSDQ
      Posted on July 11, 2011 at 3:21pm

      I’m not exactly able to conduct a full investigation of the DOJ and WH at the moment nor I am quite in a position to bring charges against AG or POTUS should any wrong doing be found. My comment is with respect to those currently elected who can and should do both who I pray will care more for doing whats right than playing political patty cake. In regards to marches Im not a believer, I havent seen a march in 20 years do anything left or right to advance a cause, now VOTES … votes I believe in.

      Report Post » NSDQ  
    • concealled9mms
      Posted on July 11, 2011 at 3:22pm

      Darrle issa will make that happen

      Report Post »  
    • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
      Posted on July 11, 2011 at 3:39pm

      Sending emails to my Congressional Rep., nor Speaker Boehner haven’t done much of anything, so far, though they haven’t caved on the debt ceiling…………….yet.

      Report Post » Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
    • NSDQ
      Posted on July 11, 2011 at 3:48pm

      Agreed telephone calls and letters to your Representatives makes it personal to them

      Report Post » NSDQ  
  • RepubliCorp
    Posted on July 11, 2011 at 2:54pm

    MS-13 gang AKA La Raza ……. and Dumbo just backdoor-ed our tax dollars to La Raza
    We need a rope and a tree

    Report Post » RepubliCorp  
    • CatB
      Posted on July 11, 2011 at 5:48pm

      Yes … and I would like to know how many of those guns didn’t make it out of the country or come back in .. I live NOT FAR from Tampa. I DEMAND to know!

      TEA!

      Report Post »  
  • South Philly Boy
    Posted on July 11, 2011 at 2:50pm

    I’ll BET they DID.

    Report Post » South Philly Boy  
  • Goodgriefgeezlouise
    Posted on July 11, 2011 at 2:48pm

    Is this a part of the total world chaos that the Obama ideology needs to promote complete change to a world government?..The guys in his White House seem to be doing some off the wall things like the gun running and Libya that it just makes ya think?..Hmm?..Are they this dumb or are they intentionally creating a world mess that cannot be fixed?..Very odd..

    Report Post »  
  • texasfarmer
    Posted on July 11, 2011 at 2:47pm

    Time to fire some DC employees. Hear that Holder?

    Report Post » texasfarmer  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on July 11, 2011 at 3:52pm

      No, it is time to fire them and bring them to trial for the crimes against the people of the nation they have and are committing – including Napoletano and all involved from the highest to the lowest who had the authority to do this.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on July 11, 2011 at 3:54pm

      Apologies, mistyped:

      meant to say at the end “those who did authorize these arms sales, contrary to the laws and against the people of America.” For their actions, and those being taken against the Constitution then we can bring them to court for sedition, insurrection, treason and encouraging rebellion.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • Psychosis
    Posted on July 11, 2011 at 2:45pm

    arrest every obama appointee for dereliction of duty and violations of the constitution then send them to guantanamo

    the sooner the better

    Report Post » Psychosis  
    • The_Almighty_Creestof
      Posted on July 11, 2011 at 2:54pm

      First rule implemented by the Republican president in 2012.
      “There are no longer, and never will be again, Czars appointed in the American government.”

      I think everyone who is sick to death of this IDIOCY by these BUFFOONS should move to Texas, refuse to pay federal taxes ever again. We’ll block every road into the state and tear up every airport runway.

      It no longer matters who the president is when you have these moronic sacks of pathetic human garbage making these kinds of decisions. Everyone head honcho in the ATF/CIA/FBI/NSA/FEMA should be fired and sent to prison for extreme incompetance…and barred from EVER serving in any form of government ever again…appointed or elected.

      Report Post »  
    • Jake in Denver
      Posted on July 11, 2011 at 3:02pm

      Give them the choice of life in prison or personally going to get the guns back.

      Report Post »  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on July 11, 2011 at 2:44pm

    Barry’s runnin guns to ms13, sounds like the big eared boy needs to be impeached.

    Report Post » progressiveslayer  
  • V-MAN MACE
    Posted on July 11, 2011 at 2:44pm

    Abolish the ATF.

    They’re terrorists caught red-handed perpetrating a false-flag attack on the 2nd Amendment.

    Your government are the terrorists.

    Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
    • ConsiderThis
      Posted on July 11, 2011 at 3:45pm

      Obama must answer to this before Congress.
      Holder has to go now!

      Report Post »  
  • V-MAN MACE
    Posted on July 11, 2011 at 2:43pm

    “Operation: Kill the 2nd Amendment or the People will Arrest Us”

    Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
  • unsalvageable.org
    Posted on July 11, 2011 at 2:42pm

    The lies and scandels just keep coming. When will the rest of America wake up tp this and DEMAND that Obama and his cronies be removed from office?!?

    Report Post »  
    • concealled9mms
      Posted on July 11, 2011 at 3:14pm

      That wont happen until more news outfits beside fox reports on it

      Report Post »  
    • robert
      Posted on July 11, 2011 at 4:22pm

      Mexican drug cartels have greater purchasing power than the Mexican government, which means they buy only the best weapons available. That includes, fully automatic assault rifles, rocket propelled grenades, hand grenades, land mines, night vision equipment, machine guns, etc.

      They can’t get any of these armaments from the US. The US only sells semi-automatic weapons over the counter.

      But Holder and Obama wanted to create the impression that 90% of all cartel weapons come from the US in order to ban or restrict gun sales and ownership. But, how can they do that if it is known the cartel buys almost exclusively fully automatic weapons? Well, they embarked on a psy ops wherein they began claiming the cartels PREFER semi-automatics as their weapons of choice. One liberal newspaper article claimed exactly that: “Semi automatics are the cartel;’s weapon of choice.”

      The next scheme was to sell thousands of weapons to straw men who in turn sold them to low level criminals and fringe drug gangs who don’t have access to fully atuomatics. Then they were to be tracked and confiscated as they saw fit, showing the press the serial numbers and the route they took destined for cartel hands. The only problem is they lost control of the operation and they didn’t take into account whistle blowers either.

      The result, of course, was a debacle of large proportions revealing the underhanded scheme to create the lie that 90% of weapons for the cartels come from the US.

      Report Post »  
    • Viet Vet
      Posted on July 11, 2011 at 5:47pm

      And they can always count on the cover provided by their leftwing sycophants the media.

      Report Post »  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on July 11, 2011 at 2:42pm

    .
    Impeach these fools befor they kill all of us…………………….

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
  • quinteastwood
    Posted on July 11, 2011 at 2:38pm

    Measures which will effect the lives of millions,born and unborn,are now before us.We must expect a great expense of blood to attain them.But we must always remember that a free CONSTITUTION,of civil government can not be purchased at too dear a rate as there is nothing on this side of Jerusalem of greater importance to mankind.
    Some people have given AMERICA a grim outlook for the future,but where they see apocalypse,I see hope.
    I see a new nation,ready to take it’s place in the world,not an empire,but a REPUBLIC.A republic of laws,not men.
    We are in the very midst of Revolution,the most complete and unexpected and remarkable of any in the history of the world.
    How few of the human race have ever,had an opportunity of choosing a system of government,for themselves,and their children.I am not without apprehensions ,gentlemen,but the end we have in site is more than worth all the means.I believe citizens that the time has come.
    My judgement approves that this measure and my whole heart is in it.All that I have,all that I am,and all that I hope in this life,I am now ready to stake upon it.
    While I live,let me have a Country.A FREE COUNTRY.
    Join “The March For Freedom” j e r r y b 5 3 5 3 at y a h o o dot c o m

    10 and counting..on social media 10 becomes 1000,1000 becomes 10,000 WE CAN do this PATRIOTS

    Report Post » quinteastwood  
    • banjarmon
      Posted on July 11, 2011 at 2:46pm

      This is under BO and Holder’s watch…Both need to be Fired NOW…WE The PEOPLE have spoken.

      Report Post » banjarmon  
    • fastfacts
      Posted on July 11, 2011 at 3:10pm

      DID YOU SEE BRIT HUME ON FOX TALK ABOUT THIS SCANDAL…

      He said he had not seen a DOJ so scandal ridden since the Nixon Administration, soon to over take: http://tiny.cc/tnnkl

      This is the state of our justice department…

      Report Post »  
    • momprayn
      Posted on July 11, 2011 at 3:30pm

      FAST – Yes, saw that. It’s not the Dept. of Justice, it’s the Dept. of INJUSTICE. And it’s not the only one — they’re all corrupt and filled with criminals, unethical, treasonous, cowardly ppl. Please God….NAIL ‘EM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TRUTH AND JUSTICE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      Report Post »  
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