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| Ex-INS Official in San Diego Is Indicted |
| 2005-06-09 |
| A federal grand jury has indicted a former high-ranking federal immigration official in San Diego for allegedly covering up a drug and immigrant smuggling ring in exchange for money and gifts. Daphiney Kimberly Caganap, 43, the former head of intelligence operations for the Immigration and Naturalization Service in San Diego, has been placed on administrative leave from her current post as port director for U.S. Customs and Border Protection at Detroit Metro Airport. She is expected to surrender to authorities next week, Assistant U.S. Atty. Edward C. Weiner said. The indictment, filed on Tuesday, grew out of an investigation targeting an INS inspector who was part of a ring smuggling marijuana and illegal immigrants through the San Ysidro Port of Entry in 2000 and 2001. The inspector, whose name was not released, has been criminally charged and is a cooperating witness in the case. During the investigation, Caganap was an assistant port director in the San Diego District of the INS, where she oversaw anti-smuggling operations and supervised the intelligence unit. Caganap, who was briefed by federal agents on the investigation of the inspector, passed along sensitive information to the suspect, the 11-page indictment said. She also lied to federal agents about the inspector's illegal activities, it said. In return, Caganap received a hot tub spa worth about $10,000, free repairs on her Mercedes-Benz and $20,000 to $30,000 in cash, the indictment said. The investigation was headed by the Border Corruption Task Force, which includes the FBI, the office of the inspector general of the Department of Homeland Security, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. If convicted on the nine felony counts, Caganap faces a potential 36-year prison term, Weiner said. "Officials in high places will not be permitted to cover up criminal activities of other employees," said Daniel R. Dzwilewski, the FBI special agent in charge in San Diego. "When false statements are made to investigators, even years after the events, such dishonesty will be exposed and punished." Caganap's attorney could not be reached for comment. |
| Posted by:too true |