US border inspector charged with bribery in Calif.

Associated Press

Posted on September 25, 2010 at 1:30 AM

Updated yesterday at 10:48 AM

EL CENTRO, California (AP) — A U.S. border inspector has been charged with taking more than $50,000 to let drug-laden vehicles from Mexico through.

Oscar Osbaldo Ortiz Martinez, a Customs and Border Protection officer since 2008, allegedly took $30,000 on Monday and $22,000 in June to let vehicles through though they were suspected of carrying drugs.

He was arrested Thursday after allegedly accepting the money from an informant.

Ortiz, of El Centro, was charged with bribery, conspiracy and attempting to import cocaine and methamphetamine. If convicted of any of those charges, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Another man, Victor Manuel Silva, was also charged. He allegedly introduced the informant to Ortiz.

There's a bail hearing Tuesday.

http://www.fox11az.com/news/national/103775299.html