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Police officer accused of leaking info

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 4 (UPI) -- A San Diego police officer allegedly leaked information about an ongoing narcotics investigation to suspected drug traffickers, authorities claim.

San Diego Police Executive Assistant Chief David Ramirez said officer Juan Hurtado Tapia, 38, has been charged with fraud, making false statements and obstruction of justice, the San Diego Union-Tribune said Thursday.

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A federal complaint against Tapia alleges he ran background checks on a police computer for drug trafficking suspects and warned one suspect to flee the country or face arrest.

The complaint said during an investigation into regional drug trafficking, a recorded phone conversation involved two suspects discussing a San Diego police officer nicknamed "Corrupto" who provided them with information. Tapia was linked to that information and questioned, while authorities arrested four trafficking suspects in July.

The Union-Tribune said Tapia has denied the allegations.

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