COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The Columbus Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives recently seized a number of guns that were originally supposed to be trafficked by criminals to Mexico.

The ATF said people may not realize it, but crimes involving Mexican cartels happen in central Ohio.

Acting Special Agent In Charge Thomas Greco, with the Columbus ATF, showed six large caliber firearms, which he said were seized when agents arrested an individual they said legally purchased the guns in the U.S., but planned to send them down to Mexico.

“An individual was arrested who was suspected of conspiring with cartel members and transnational organizations to purchase these weapons and transport them to Mexico for distribution,” Greco said.

The guns were intercepted before they could be trafficked.

Greco said the cartels prefer large caliber or belt-fed rifles because they can injure or kill large amounts of people while protecting their trades.

“Every time one of these comes off the street, it saves lives,” Greco said. “So the impact is saving lives and any lives saved from one to, you know, any number you can think of is a huge impact.”

Greco said this shows that international crime can happen right in our backyard.

“Weapons don’t have to be just near, you know, the international borders. It can happen anywhere. It can happen here. It can happen mostly anywhere else. So that’s why vigilance is so important,” Greco said.

The ATF said this seize was part of an ongoing investigation so details are limited at this time.

Agents did warn people to say something if they see any red flags.