Two U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, Jesse Garcia and Diego Bonillo, have been charged with an 11-count indictment for allegedly helping a Mexican drug trafficking organization move huge amounts of drugs across the border in exchange for tens of thousands of dollars per vehicle.
Garcia’s lavish lifestyle
Prosecutors allege that Garcia spent far above his means as a CBP officer, buying $2,000 handbags and clothing from Louis Vuitton and Burberry. He also owned a $65,000 GMC Yukon, a home in San Diego, and a racehorse business. Despite these purchases, Garcia reported an income of about $5,000 per month.
Bonillo’s travel expenses
Meanwhile, Bonillo spent more than $13,000 on travel expenses between November and March. He was also arrested in May at the Aria Resort in Las Vegas, where he had $2,000 tickets to a Canelo Álvarez boxing match.
Similarities to previous cases
The case against Garcia and Bonillo bears similarities to that of Leonard Darnell George, who was convicted in June of working for two separate drug trafficking organizations. George charged around $17,000 per vehicle, according to investigators.
Investigation reveals corrupt CBP officers
An investigation by the FBI’s Border Corruption Task Force revealed that Garcia and Bonillo had been allowing known cartel members to cross the border with large amounts of drugs. The officers were allegedly paid tens of thousands of dollars per vehicle for their help.
Court proceedings
Garcia and Bonillo have both been held without bail, accused of being a danger to the community and a flight risk. They are due back in court on October 25.
Timeline of events
* April 18, 2021: Vanessa Valdovinos tries to enter the U.S. through the small Tecate border crossing but is instructed to use an empty lane. When her car is searched, officers find dozens of kilograms of cocaine and methamphetamine.
* February 2024: Garcia allows Nayeli Viridriana Servin Vega through the Tecate border despite being flagged as “high risk.” She was later arrested in Chula Vista with kilos of methamphetamine in her car.
Source: LA Times
