CBP officers charged after allegedly taking bribes to wave in unlawful immigrants

[ad_1] Two U.S. Customs and Border Safety officers have been charged with taking bribes to let folks enter the nation with out displaying paperwork at America's busiest border crossing.

CBP Officers Farlis Almonte and Ricardo Rodriguez labored on the San Ysidro Port of Entry and prosecutors say they let dozens of automobiles carrying illegal immigrants pass through with out correct checks in trade for hundreds of {dollars}.

In line with courtroom paperwork unsealed Thursday, investigators discovered telephone messages between the officers and human smugglers in Mexico. In addition they discovered massive unexplained money deposits within the officers’ financial institution accounts.

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In a single case caught on surveillance video, a automobile stopped at a checkpoint with two folks inside, however solely the motive force was formally recorded as entering the U.S. , prosecutors mentioned.

A checkpoint earlier than crossing into america at San Ysidro Port of Entry in Tijuana, Mexico (Francisco Vega/Getty Pictures)

When Almonte was arrested, investigators additionally allegedly seized practically $70,000 in money they imagine his girlfriend was attempting to take to Tijuana . Prosecutors say he could face extra expenses, together with cash laundering and attempting to cover proof, in keeping with The San Diego Union-Tribune.

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"Any Customs and Border Safety agent who helps smugglers is breaking their oath and placing our nationwide safety in danger," mentioned Appearing U.S. Lawyer Andrew Haden.

Automobiles queue on the San Ysidro crossing port in Tijuana, Baja California State, Mexico. (Guillermo Arias/AFP through Getty Pictures)

Rodriguez’s lawyer, Michael Hawkins, mentioned the case remains to be within the early levels and reminded the general public that Rodriguez is presumed harmless. "We look ahead to working by means of the present state of affairs," Hawkins mentioned, calling Rodriguez "hardworking and constant."

It’s not but clear if Almonte has a lawyer. Prior to now two years, 5 CBP officers within the San Diego space have confronted related corruption expenses.