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News > Latin America

6 Colombian Immigration Officials Tried for Trafficking

  • The immigration authorities are accused of not properly enforcing passport controls, among other things.

    The immigration authorities are accused of not properly enforcing passport controls, among other things. | Photo: Reuters

Published 31 August 2015
Opinion

The suspects allegedly falsified documents, erased records and facilitated passport swaps to help smuggle migrants, arms and money.

A judge in Colombia is expected to rule Monday on the fate of six officials from Colombia Migration, accused of belonging to a criminal network trafficking migrants, money and weapons.

The six officials were arrested Saturday morning, after being investigated by the Attorney General's Office and from within Colombia Migration for over a year. 

According to investigators, the five officials and one supervisor from the department formed part of an illegal operation where they falsified documents, erased records and facilitated the exit of people without enforcing immigration procedures in order to promote the smuggling of migrants. They also facilitated the exchange of passports and failed to enforce passport procedures at border control zones.  

These actions were key in facilitating criminal operations, say investigators, as they allegedly permitted dangerous people, arms and money to enter and leave the country.    

“Colombia Migration reproaches any act of corruption of their officials and will be the first to publicly condemn them,” said Christian Krüger Sarmiento, Director of Immigration Colombia.

Proceedings are already underway for the six suspects, while a judge is expected to rule on their guilt or innocence later Monday. 

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