Officer is charged with conspiracy
Federal prosecutors on Monday charged a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer with conspiring to smuggle marijuana and illegal immigrants through his inspection lane at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry.
According to the two-count complaint, Luis Francisco Alarid admitted several vehicles carrying drugs or immigrants into the country, including one car driven by his uncle that contained 18 immigrants and more than 170 pounds of marijuana.
Alarid, who was arrested Friday, could face a five-year prison sentence on the alien-smuggling count and five to 40 years on the drug-smuggling charge, according to federal prosecutors.
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-- Richard Marosi
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