A former officer with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for accepting bribes to facilitate the smuggling of vehicles loaded with drugs across the southern border into the United States.
Diego Bonillo, 31, faced charges of conspiracy to import controlled substances and the actual importation of those substances.
In a statement, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California, Adam Gordon, remarked, “This sentence serves as a strong reminder that Bonillo’s betrayal of public trust will not be tolerated. By exploiting his position for personal gain, he allowed dangerous narcotics to infiltrate our borders, endangering communities. Such corrupt actions will be met with the full force of the law, ensuring that those who choose profits over their duty face serious consequences.”
Bonillo acknowledged his involvement with a drug trafficking ring based in Mexico, admitting that he agreed to take payments in exchange for permitting vehicles carrying drugs to pass through border checkpoints without undergoing inspection, according to information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Diego Bonillo, 31, accepted payment in exchange for allowing smugglers to transport vehicles filled with drugs to enter the U.S. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
Bonillo admitted to working for a Mexico-based drug trafficking organization and agreeing to accept payment to allow drug-laden vehicles into the U.S. without inspection, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The former officer confessed to allowing at least 75 kilograms of fentanyl, 11.7 kilograms of methamphetamine and more than one kilogram of heroin into the country. Prosecutors said he allowed at least 15 vehicles to enter the country without inspection from October 2023 to April 2024.
The former officer confessed to allowing at least 75 kilograms of fentanyl, 11.7 kilograms of methamphetamine and more than one kilogram of heroin into the country. (Getty Images)
Bonillo was using a second phone unknown to law enforcement to communicate his lane assignments to drug smugglers so they would know from which lane and what time he could ensure their entry.
He used the money from the scheme to travel internationally, purchase luxury items and tickets to a boxing match, attempt to purchase property in Mexico and spend time at the Hong Kong Gentlemen’s Club in Tijuana, Mexico.
Diego Bonillo allowed at least 15 vehicles to enter the country without inspection from October 2023 to April 2024. (CBP)
“Former CBP Officer Diego Bonillo allowed massive amounts of drugs into the U.S. without regard for the deadly consequences it could have on our communities,” Mark Dargis, special agent in charge of the FBI San Diego Field Office, said in a statement.
“He disgraced the badge and violated his oath to protect the American people,” he continued. “This conduct betrays the public’s trust and is contradictory to the values and standards expected of a federal law enforcement officer. FBI San Diego and our partners will not tolerate such dishonorable behavior. This sentence reflects the FBI’s commitment to hold accountable anyone who corrupts their role at the expense of our citizens’ safety.”
