Pubdate: Fri, 11 Feb 2000
Source: Arizona Daily Star (AZ)
Copyright: 2000 Pulitzer Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.azstarnet.com/
Author: Tim Steller

EX-O'ODHAM COP IS HELD ON POT-SMUGGLING COUNTS

FBI agents arrested a former Tohono O'odham police officer yesterday
for allegedly trying to traffic in marijuana while he was on the force.

Enrique Romero, 30, was arrested about 7:30 a.m. while driving near
Vail, said FBI spokesman Ed Hall.

His alleged crime occurred last March 26. Neither Hall nor Cathy
Colbert, spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office, would explain
what Romero is accused of doing. Tohono O'odham Police Chief Larry
Seligman also declined to elaborate on Romero's alleged crime.

Seligman said his own department initiated the investigation last year
and passed it on to the FBI.

My officers chose to put their professional ethics ahead of their
friendship with Enrique, he said.

Seligman put Romero on administrative leave after the investigation
began. Then Tucson police arrested Romero in June, and Romero was fired.

Tucson police arrested Romero again last month on drug- and
weapons-related charges, said a press release from the U.S. Attorney's
Office. Contacted yesterday, Tucson police could not confirm or offer
details of the arrest.

Seligman said marijuana traffic through the reservation, which borders
Mexico, is common.

We seize on average 2,000 pounds of marijuana every month, by just
traffic stops and literally running into it, stashed in little hiding
places and washes, Seligman said. 
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