A Mexican federal police officer was sentenced to more than seven years in prison Monday for drug trafficking, officials said Tuesday.
Ruben Rochin-Gutierrez, 41, used his position as an officer to help Mexican drug-trafficking organizations pass marijuana through the area he was responsible for and bring it close to the U.S. border, according to a news release form the U.S. Attorney's Office in Arizona.
Rochin-Gutierrez's conviction stems from several incidents in 2003, 2004 and 2006 in which he negotiated with undercover FBI agents to smuggle marijuana into the country, the release said.
In the first incident, the FBI in New York City seized more than 2,900 pounds of marijuana after he made arrangements with the undercover agents, the release said. He admitted to allowing the marijuana to pass through his area.
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After that incident, he began negotiating again with the FBI about smuggling a second shipment of 3,520 pounds of marijuana into the country and transporting it to Phoenix for $100,000, the release said.
After Rochin-Gutierrez authorized the release of the marijuana it was driven to Phoenix, the release said.
On Dec. 16, 2004, Rochin-Gutierrez's driver took possession of the vehicle and was stopped by police, the release said. The marijuana was seized.
On Jan. 31, 2006, Rochin-Gutierrez made a third attempt at smuggling another shipment with the assistance of the undercover FBI agent, the release said.
He was arrested after giving the undercover agent a down payment of nearly $40,000.
He will now serve 87 months in prison.
