Cop accused of passing info to drug traffickers

A San Diego police officer is being accused of using his position to pass information about an ongoing narcotics investigation to suspected drug traffickers from Mexico, according to the U.S. Attorney's office.

Officer Juan Hurtado Tapia was arraigned today on federal charges of obstruction, fraud and making false statements. FBI and DEA agents arrested him yesterday.

The complaint alleges that during a long-term investigation being conducted by the FBI, DEA and San Diego police, the case agents became aware in May that the targets of their investigation were in contact with Tapia.

Through wiretaps, they learned that Tapia allegedly had been using his position as a police officer to run criminal history checks on behalf of suspected traffickers and passing them information about the investigation.

The original targets of the investigation, including those to whom Tapia is accused of passing information, were picked up in July and are awaiting trial in federal court.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Leo S. Papas set a preliminary hearing for Sept. 16.
Posted by Greg Gross September 3, 2008 04:30 PM

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