Ex-San Diego INS Official Is Indicted
A federal grand jury has indicted a former high-ranking federal immigration official in San Diego for allegedly covering up a drug and immigrant smuggling ring in exchange for money and gifts.
Daphiney Kimberly Caganap, 43, the former head of intelligence operations for the Immigration and Naturalization Service in San Diego, has been placed on administrative leave from her current post as port director for U.S. Customs and Border Protection at Detroit Metro Airport.
She is expected to surrender to authorities next week, Assistant U.S. Atty. Edward C. Weiner said.
The indictment, filed on Tuesday, grew out of an investigation targeting an INS inspector who was part of a ring smuggling marijuana and illegal immigrants through the San Ysidro Port of Entry in 2000 and 2001.
During the investigation, Caganap was an assistant port director in the San Diego District of the INS, where she oversaw anti-smuggling operations and supervised the intelligence unit.
Caganap, who was briefed by federal agents on the investigation, passed along sensitive information to the suspect, the indictment said. If convicted on the nine felony counts, Caganap faces a potential 36-year prison term, Weiner said.
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