3 BOSTON OFFICERS ARRESTED IN FBI STING

Police Accused of Belonging to Corruption Ring

Three Boston police officers were arrested in Miami as part of an FBI
investigation into a corruption ring that includes charges of identity
fraud, money laundering and illegal after-hours parties involving
prostitutes, law enforcement officials said Friday.

The officers were arrested during an FBI sting in Miami after they
allegedly came to Florida to collect a $35,000 payment for allegedly
protecting a cocaine shipment. The people they were to meet were
really undercover FBI agents.

Roberto Pulido, 41, described by authorities as the ringleader, and
fellow officers Carlos Pizarro, 36, and Nelson Carrasquillo, 35, were
arrested late Thursday in Miami.

The Associated Press reported that the officers appeared briefly on
Friday at the federal courthouse in Miami but did not enter pleas.

An Aug. 2 hearing has been set for their removal to
Boston.

Authorities said the investigation started in November 2003 when
authorities discovered Pulido was buying and selling fraudulent retail
store gift cards from stores including The Home Depot and Best Buy.