United States Attorney Karen P. Hewitt announced that Luis Francisco Alarid, a Customs and Border Protection Officer for the Department of Homeland Security, was arraigned today in federal court in San Diego by United States Magistrate Judge Anthony J. Battaglia on a criminal complaint charging him with conspiracy to import marijuana and conspiracy to smuggle illegal aliens.

The complaint alleges that since at least February 2008 Alarid admitted into the United States numerous vehicles containing illegal aliens or loads of marijuana through his post at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry. The loads included a vehicle driven by Alarid’s uncle in March 2008 that contained 18 illegal aliens and over 170 pounds of marijuana. One individual said she was charged a $5,000 fee to be smuggled into the United States.

Agents from the Border Corruption Task Force arrested Alarid on May 16, 2008. Alarid is currently in custody in San Diego.

Alarid is scheduled to be in court next on May 21, 2008, before Magistrate Judge Anthony J. Battaglia for a detention hearing.

DEFENDANT Case Number: 08MJ1534
Luis Francisco Alarid

SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Count 1 - Title 21, United States Code, Sections 952, 960 and 963 –
Conspiracy to Import Marijuana
Penalties: At least five years, and up to 40 years, in prison
$2 million fine
At least four years supervised release

Count 2 - Title 18, United States Code, Section 371 –
Conspiracy to smuggle aliens
Penalties: Up to five years in prison
$250,000 fine
3 years supervised release

INVESTIGATING AGENCIES
Federal Bureau of Investigation
DHS Customs and Border Protection Internal Affairs
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Office of Professional Responsibility
ICE Office of Investigations

A complaint itself is not evidence that the defendant committed the crimes charged. The defendant is presumed innocent until the Government meets its burden in court of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.