INS AGENTS IN NOGALES INDICTED

TUCSON, Ariz., Feb. 3 (UPI) - U.S. immigration officials hope the
indictments of four current and former agents for allegedly waving
cocaine across the Nogales, Ariz., border in exchange for cash sends a
strong message.

U.S. Attorney for Arizona Jose de Jesus Rivera told the Tucson Citizen
today, ``Corruption will not be tolerated, and violators will be punished.''

The four inspectors will be arraigned Thursday on drug and bribery
charges. Authorities arrested the agents Tuesday. They were each
released on a $50,000 bond following an initial appearance in U.S.
District court in Tucson.

Three of the inspectors are suspected of allowing 20 tons of cocaine
to cross the Nogales border in exchange for more than $135,000. The
fourth suspect was arrested for illegally approving immigration documents.

Authorities have declined to say how the inspectors allegedly were
corrupted, or whether more arrests will be made in Nogales or other
Arizona ports of entry.

Stephen Fickett, INS deputy district director in Arizona, says the
investigation is ongoing. Sixty-seven immigration inspectors work in
Nogales.

He says the INS will use this experience to learn how to prevent
employees from ``turning'' in the future.

Arrested for allegedly accepting bribes to smuggle cocaine were
inspectors Rafael Landa, 50, Robert Ronquillo, 33, and former
inspector Jesus Corella, 41.

Corella and inspector Maria de Los Angeles Albado, 37, face only
bribery charges.