CHULA VISTA, Calif. -- A San Diego jury has awarded $2.2 million to an undercover U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent who said he was assaulted and battered by Chula Vista police, even after he showed his badge.

The verdict may be appealed by the Chula Vista Police Department, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Sergio Lopez was tracking smugglers in October 2006 when Chula Vista police officers pulled him over. At the time, a Mexican gang had been kidnapping residents, sometimes posing as law enforcement officers.

"What ... are you doing speeding through my city?" one of the officer asked Lopez, according to The Times.

Lopez showed his badge and tried to explain but was ultimately handcuffed and forced to the ground, where his head hit the asphalt, the newspaper reported. He sued a month later, saying his arm was pulled so severely that he feared it would snap, according to The Times.

The verdict in the case was handed down Wednesday.

Two of five officers involved have since retired and three remain on the force.

"We believe our officers and supervisors acted appropriately ... under suspicious and dangerous circumstances," police spokesman Bernard Gonzales told The Times.