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A former US Customs and Border Protection officer was sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to working with mexican Authorities said Thursday that smugglers will bring the drugs into the United States.
Diego Bonillo, 30, pleaded guilty in July to multiple charges, including conspiracy to import controlled substances such as cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin.
As part of his plea deal, he admitted using his position to allow cars loaded with drugs from Mexico into the US without inspection. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, they allowed at least 75 kilograms of fentanyl, 11.7 kilograms of methamphetamine and more than 1 kilogram of heroin into the country. San Diego said in a news release Thursday.
Prosecutors said in sentencing documents that Bonillo was using a secret phone to alert the drug trafficking group that he would monitor the Tecate and Otay Mesa border crossings to ensure their entry without inspection.
Prosecutors said agents determined Bonillo was part of the scheme beginning in October 2023 and continuing through April 2024, allowing at least 15 vehicles to enter without inspection.
Bonillo used his payout to travel internationally, buy luxury gifts, attempt to buy property in Mexico, and spend time at a Hong Kong Gentlemen’s Club. tijuanaMexico, prosecutors said.
He was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison on November 7.