2 Customs and Border Protection Officers Charged for Taking Bribes to Allow Illegal Immigrants Entry

The officers were allegedly paid thousands of dollars in cash to allow the entry of the vehicles into the country.

Vehicles wait in line to cross the border into the United States at the San Ysidro Port of Entry in Tijuana, Mexico, on March 18, 2025. Gregory Bull, File/AP Photo

The Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Friday that two Customs and Border Protection officers have been arrested for allegedly taking bribes to allow cars with illegal immigrants to cross the border into the United States.

Farlis Almonte and Ricardo Rodriguez were arrested on March 24 on charges of conspiring to smuggle illegal immigrants into the country for financial gain, according to a criminal complaint unsealed on April 4.