Border agents accused of making drug smugglers eat marijuana

By the CNN Wire Staff

August 5, 2011 -- Updated 1218 GMT (2018 HKT)

Two Border Patrol agents in Arizona are accused of forcing suspected drug smugglers to eat marijuana.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• The agents allegedly forced smugglers to eat marijuana
• They face 10 years in prison and a fine

(CNN) -- Two Border Patrol agents in Arizona are accused of forcing suspected drug smugglers to eat marijuana and strip down to their underwear before being told to flee into the desert.
A federal grand jury in Tucson indicted Dario Castillo, 23, and Ramon Zuniga, 29, with five counts of civil rights violations. Castillo faces an additional charge of tampering with a witness.
The indictment alleges that on November 12 of 2008, the two border agents forced four suspected drug smugglers from Mexico -- who were in the country illegally and carrying marijuana -- to eat the drug and remove their all their clothes except their underwear, the Arizona U.S. Attorney's office said.
Instead of arresting them, the agents burned their personal belongings and ordered them to flee into the desert in 40-degree weather, the office said.

If convicted, Castillo and Zuniga face a maximum of 10 years in prison and $250,000 fine.

RELATED TOPICS

• Drug Trafficking
• Mexico
• Arizona