By KRWG News
Albuquerque – An Albuquerque grand jury has indicted three leaders of an alleged Chinese crime ring on charges they helped secure New Mexico driver's licenses for more than 60 out-of-state illegal immigrants using fraudulent documents.
The three men are accused of running newspaper advertisements in Chinese newspapers in New York, promising New Mexico driver's licenses for $1,500 each.
Prosecutors say the illegal immigrants flew from New York to Albuquerque, obtained their driver's permits and left the state. The ringleaders had the licenses mailed to an address in Albuquerque and then forwarded them to their clients in New York.
Gov. Susana Martinez said the indictments show that the state must address fraud and abuse in the driver's license system. New Mexico is one of just three states where illegal immigrants can get driver's licenses.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.