We are entering scary times, my friends.  There is a scandal erupting here in Arizona involving cocaine trafficking through the U.S. Border that has already nabbed 16 law enforcement officers and soldiers.  The sting operation that has lasted for 3 1/2 years is “expected to bring more arrests and involve people from additional agencies.”

Update [2005-5-13 10:35:10 by Man Eegee]: Eleven of the 16 defendants appeared in court yesterday (5/12/05). The remaining five will appear over the next few days. They all pleaded guilty and were released on their own recognizance. The Az Daily Star has a breakdown of the specific allegations for the eleven.

In the comments below, BooTribber rba linked to an article by Common Dreams regarding journalist Gary Webb’s extensive work on the subject. He died from an apparent suicide last December.

Regarding media coverage, the AP article has gotten mileage across the country’s papers, including the NY Times, USA Today & Washington Post. The WaPo also had their own analysis of the sting operation. (free registration required)

More below the fold…

Those charged include a former Immigration and Naturalization Service inspector, a former Army sergeant, a former federal prison guard, seven members of the Arizona Army National Guard, five members of the Arizona Department of Corrections and a police officer, officials said.

All 16 agreed to plead guilty to being part of a bribery and corruption conspiracy and were scheduled to enter pleas Thursday in federal court, said Noel Hillman, a Justice Department official.

::snip::

Hillman said the defendants drove cocaine shipments past checkpoints manned by the government while they wore official uniforms, carried identification and used official vehicles.

“Many individuals charged were sworn personnel having the task of protecting society and securing America’s borders,” Monroe said. “The importance of these tasks cannot be overstated and we cannot tolerate, nor can the American people afford, this type of corruption.”  [emphasis mine]

AP – Yahoo News

This scandal has the potential to blow the lid off the border/immigration debate.  I will do some investigating here locally and give you updates as I find them.

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