Two US customs and border protection officials have been charged with accepting thousands of dollars in money to help undocumented workers into the United States without proper checks.
Farlis Almonte and Ricardo Rodriguez were both stationed at the region’s busiest area cross, assigned to immigration assessment stalls at the San Ysidro Port of Entry in Southern California. The officers reportedly worked with people smugglers in Mexico to illegally flood through automobiles packed with illegal individuals, according to federal prosecutors.
The trio was charged after authorities uncovered wording messages between the soldiers and known criminals, alongside unknown cash payments into their personal bank accounts. Surveillance footage showed at least one occasion where a vehicle carrying two persons was stopped, but only the vehicle was recorded as entering the country.
Lawyers claimed that both officers accepted thousands of dollars per auto they let through. Over time, the couple are believed to possess helped lots of migrants cross into the US without evidence, CBS media reported.
The claims stem from an analysis that began last year after three arrested immigrant pirates named Almonte and Rodriguez as partners. While Almonte was in custody, authorities reportedly seized practically$ 70, 000 in money they believe his companion was attempting to move into Tijuana. He was now face extra charges for money laundering and obstruction of justice.
Ricardo Rodriguez’s attorney, Michael Hawkins, said the situation was still in its early phases and reminded the public that his client remains innocent until proven guilty.
” We look forward to working through the latest situation”, Hawkins said in an message, describing Rodriguez as “hardworking and loyal”.
It is yet questionable if Almonte has an attorney to represent him.
Speaking US attorney Andrew Haden condemned the alleged activities, “any customs and border protection representative who aids or turns a blind eye to pirates bringing illegal immigrants into the US is betraying their oath and endangering our national safety”.
This event marks the latest in a series of corruption scandals involving border officials in the San Diego area. Over the past two decades, five officials have faced similar claims.
In another case last month, former inspector Henry Darnell George was sentenced to 23 years in prison after accepting money to help undocumented workers and drug-laden vehicles through the same San Ysidro cross.
