2 US border inspectors charged with taking bribes to wave in people without documents
SUMMARY
Two U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers, Farlis Almonte and Ricardo Rodriguez, were charged for allegedly taking thousands in bribes to let illegal aliens cross at the San Ysidro Port of Entry in San Diego—America’s busiest border spot. The shady dealings, uncovered in a criminal complaint unsealed Thursday, April 3, 2025, showed them waving through dozens of vehicles after pocketing cash from Mexican traffickers. Phone evidence and unexplained bank deposits nailed them, with video catching Rodriguez logging only a driver while passengers rode free. Almonte’s partner got caught trying to haul $70,000 to Tijuana, hinting at money laundering and obstruction charges. Acting U.S. Attorney Andrew Haden blasted them for endangering security. Rodriguez’s attorney, Michael Hawkins, defends his “loyal” client, saying it’s early. The probe started after three smugglers arrested in 2024 ratted out border insiders. This is the fifth CBP corruption bust in San Diego in two years.
