Thread: 3 in Sheriff Joe's Office accused of drug, human smuggling

3 in Sheriff's Office accused of drug, human smuggling

May. 24, 2011 12:55 PM
The Arizona Republic-12 News Breaking News Team

Maricopa County Sheriff's deputies served search warrants throughout the county Tuesday morning and made a series of arrests as part of an investigation involving at least three Maricopa County Sheriff's employees suspected of being involved in human and drug smuggling operations.

An officer at the scene where one of the warrants was served confirmed to a 12 News reporter that the operation involved a Maricopa County Sheriff's deputy suspected of smuggling drugs or humans.

The targets of the investigation, conducted by a task force of state and local agencies, include a Sheriff's deputy and a pair of detention officers.

The Sheriff's Office would not confirm any details related to the investigation including the identities of the deputies or how many other suspects might be involved.

A large number of police vehicles were at a house near 67th Avenue and Van Buren Street.

The Sheriff's Office said it plans to release more details at a news conference Tuesday afternoon.

http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoe ... -abrk.html

MCSO Arrests 3 of Their Own in Smuggling Case

Updated: Tuesday, 24 May 2011, 9:40 PM MST
Published : Tuesday, 24 May 2011, 4:11 PM MST

PHOENIX - After a year-long investigation, Sheriff Joe Arpaio says his office has broken up a drug and human smuggling ring in which 3 of their own officers were caught up in.

One deputy and two detention officers were among 12 others arrested Tuesday.

They have been identified as Deputy Sheriff Alfredo Navarrette, Detention Officer Sylvia Najera, and Detention Officer Marcella Hernandez, all ICE-trained officers.

They are accused of tipping off drug traffickers and human smugglers about ongoing investigations.

Hernandez allegedly had an ongoing personal relationship with a major drug kingpin and was 8-months pregnant with his child. According to court documents, she arranged the transfer of multiple heroin loads and allowed her boyfriend's drug trafficking organization to use her two houses as stash houses.

Najera also allegedly had ties to a big drug trafficking ring.

Perhaps the most shocking revelation is that Navarrette used to work in the anti-human smuggling unit for a short time, and when officers raided his house, they found two illegal immigrants being housed inside.

According to court documents, 37-year-old Navarrette was a member of the drug trafficking organization and drove load vehicles, laundered money, and transported illegal immigrants from Arizona to California, among many other duties.

Navarrette, an 11-year veteran of the force, has admitted to the crimes, the Sheriff says.

"We did not know for sure until today, when he admitted passing information on to the drug traffickers... whether you're investigating a crooked cop or not, you have to be concerned about leaks."

Several law enforcement agencies assisted in serving 16 search warrants at homes and businesses across the valley Tuesday. Authorities seized 10 pounds of heroin, along with weapons and stolen property.

Seven additional sheriff's employees are still being investigated for similar crimes.

The charges

Hernandez was charged with illegal control of enterprise, three counts of using electronic communication during a drug transaction, managing/financing a criminal syndicate, two counts of money laundering, conspiracy to sell or transport narcotic drugs, and three counts of possession of narcotic drugs for transportation or sale. She is being held on a $2 million cash bond.

Navarrette was charged with 19 counts, including assisting in a criminal syndicate, smuggling humans, and money laundering. He is being held on $1 million cash bond.

We are awaiting charging paperwork for Najera.

http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/news/in ... -5-24-2011

Originally Posted by JohnDoe2

MCSO Arrests 3 of Their Own in Smuggling Case

Updated: Tuesday, 24 May 2011, 9:40 PM MST
Published : Tuesday, 24 May 2011, 4:11 PM MST

PHOENIX - After a year-long investigation, Sheriff Joe Arpaio says his office has broken up a drug and human smuggling ring in which 3 of their own officers were caught up in.

One deputy and two detention officers were among 12 others arrested Tuesday.

They have been identified as Deputy Sheriff Alfredo Navarrette, Detention Officer Sylvia Najera, and Detention Officer Marcella Hernandez, all ICE-trained officers.

They are accused of tipping off drug traffickers and human smugglers about ongoing investigations.

Hernandez allegedly had an ongoing personal relationship with a major drug kingpin and was 8-months pregnant with his child. According to court documents, she arranged the transfer of multiple heroin loads and allowed her boyfriend's drug trafficking organization to use her two houses as stash houses.

Najera also allegedly had ties to a big drug trafficking ring.

Perhaps the most shocking revelation is that Navarrette used to work in the anti-human smuggling unit for a short time, and when officers raided his house, they found two illegal immigrants being housed inside.

According to court documents, 37-year-old Navarrette was a member of the drug trafficking organization and drove load vehicles, laundered money, and transported illegal immigrants from Arizona to California, among many other duties.

Navarrette, an 11-year veteran of the force, has admitted to the crimes, the Sheriff says.

"We did not know for sure until today, when he admitted passing information on to the drug traffickers... whether you're investigating a crooked cop or not, you have to be concerned about leaks."

Several law enforcement agencies assisted in serving 16 search warrants at homes and businesses across the valley Tuesday. Authorities seized 10 pounds of heroin, along with weapons and stolen property.

Seven additional sheriff's employees are still being investigated for similar crimes.

The charges

Hernandez was charged with illegal control of enterprise, three counts of using electronic communication during a drug transaction, managing/financing a criminal syndicate, two counts of money laundering, conspiracy to sell or transport narcotic drugs, and three counts of possession of narcotic drugs for transportation or sale. She is being held on a $2 million cash bond.

Navarrette was charged with 19 counts, including assisting in a criminal syndicate, smuggling humans, and money laundering. He is being held on $1 million cash bond.

We are awaiting charging paperwork for Najera.

http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/news/in ... -5-24-2011

Hmmmm......Naverrette, Najares, Hernandez. Anyone but me see a "pattern" here?

Originally Posted by escalade

Originally Posted by JohnDoe2

MCSO Arrests 3 of Their Own in Smuggling Case

Updated: Tuesday, 24 May 2011, 9:40 PM MST
Published : Tuesday, 24 May 2011, 4:11 PM MST

PHOENIX - After a year-long investigation, Sheriff Joe Arpaio says his office has broken up a drug and human smuggling ring in which 3 of their own officers were caught up in.

One deputy and two detention officers were among 12 others arrested Tuesday.

They have been identified as Deputy Sheriff Alfredo Navarrette, Detention Officer Sylvia Najera, and Detention Officer Marcella Hernandez, all ICE-trained officers.

They are accused of tipping off drug traffickers and human smugglers about ongoing investigations.

Hernandez allegedly had an ongoing personal relationship with a major drug kingpin and was 8-months pregnant with his child. According to court documents, she arranged the transfer of multiple heroin loads and allowed her boyfriend's drug trafficking organization to use her two houses as stash houses.

Najera also allegedly had ties to a big drug trafficking ring.

Perhaps the most shocking revelation is that Navarrette used to work in the anti-human smuggling unit for a short time, and when officers raided his house, they found two illegal immigrants being housed inside.

According to court documents, 37-year-old Navarrette was a member of the drug trafficking organization and drove load vehicles, laundered money, and transported illegal immigrants from Arizona to California, among many other duties.

Navarrette, an 11-year veteran of the force, has admitted to the crimes, the Sheriff says.

"We did not know for sure until today, when he admitted passing information on to the drug traffickers... whether you're investigating a crooked cop or not, you have to be concerned about leaks."

Several law enforcement agencies assisted in serving 16 search warrants at homes and businesses across the valley Tuesday. Authorities seized 10 pounds of heroin, along with weapons and stolen property.

Seven additional sheriff's employees are still being investigated for similar crimes.

The charges

Hernandez was charged with illegal control of enterprise, three counts of using electronic communication during a drug transaction, managing/financing a criminal syndicate, two counts of money laundering, conspiracy to sell or transport narcotic drugs, and three counts of possession of narcotic drugs for transportation or sale. She is being held on a $2 million cash bond.

Navarrette was charged with 19 counts, including assisting in a criminal syndicate, smuggling humans, and money laundering. He is being held on $1 million cash bond.

We are awaiting charging paperwork for Najera.

http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/news/in ... -5-24-2011

Hmmmm......Naverrette, Najares, Hernandez. Anyone but me see a "pattern" here?

Yes I do, but for fear of being called a racist, I'll keep my pie hole shut.