Border Patrol agent in Arizona allegedly smuggled drugs in patrol vehicle
Posted: 12/05/2012 08:24:08 AM MST
PHOENIX (AP) - A U.S. Border Patrol
agent has been arrested after authorities say he used his patrol vehicle to
smuggle drugs while on duty in southwest Arizona, according to a federal
complaint.
Aaron Anaya was on patrol Sunday evening when he stopped along the
international border, then loaded up several bundles of marijuana that had been
dropped over the fence from Mexico, according to the complaint filed this week
in federal court in Arizona.
Agents assigned to the Southwest Border Corruption Task Force had been
conducting aerial surveillance in the area between Yuma and Wellton, about 185
miles southwest of Phoenix, when they spotted Anaya stop along the fence and
retrieve the bundles, the complaint states. It does not say whether Anaya was
the target of the initial surveillance or merely observed during the overall
operation.
Authorities say the task force continued to track Anaya for several hours as
he appeared to return to normal patrol duties.
The complaint says the agent was later arrested with nearly 147 pounds of
marijuana found in three black duffel bags in his Border Patrol vehicle.
He is charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana and
carrying a firearm - his service weapons - while committing the crime.
Asked if he was willing to speak to investigators, Anaya responded with an
expletive, then said, "You guys got me on video," before asking for an attorney,
according to the complaint.
Anaya's federal public defender didn't
immediately return a telephone message Tuesday. His telephone number
wasn't listed. Union representatives for the Border Patrol's Yuma sector didn't
respond to emails.
The FBI, which was part of the task force, declined to discuss the case.
Yuma Sector Chief Border Patrol Agent Stephen S. Martin said the agency will
fully cooperate with investigators.
"While I am sorely disappointed by the alleged conduct of one of our own, I
appreciate the efforts by our law enforcement partners and our own agents to
uncover those that violate their oath of office, and hold them accountable for
their actions," Martin said in a statement Tuesday.
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