The Arizona Army National Guard solders, Arizona Department of Corrections officers, a police officer, and former Army sergeant, prison guard, and Immigration and Naturalization Service inspector involved in the scheme all pleaded guilty to taking $222,000 in bribes to allow cocaine to slip through border checkpoints.

"Many individuals charged were sworn personnel having the task of protecting society and securing America's borders. The importance of these tasks cannot be overstated and we cannot tolerate, nor can the American people afford, this type of corruption," said FBI agent Jana D. Monroe, who runs the agency's operations in Arizona.

FBI agents, acting on a tip, posed as cocaine dealers and moved more than $18.5 million worth of the drug across the border with the help of the smuggling ring. Arrests of others involved in the scheme are expected as the investigation continues.

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Your Turn! Post a public comment (read guidelines):

Name:
Comment: (limit 200 words)
Enter this word (help):	Change

GUIDELINES: 
To keep this feature useful for all, please:

1. Keep it clean, courteous, and on-topic. Comments are meant for thoughtful discussion of the article published above.
   
   
2. Do not post promotional links to organizations, products or services, or personal requests for assistance (get help).
   
   
3. Proof your comments carefully, use good spelling and punctuation, and don't use ALL CAPS. Comments are published immediately and cannot be edited.

Deceptive, slanderous and commercially-motivated posts are prohibited. We reserve the right to remove comments not conforming to these guidelines. (Report a comment).

Have questions or feedback? Contact us.