Former Border Officer Jailed for 15 Years in Major Drug Smuggling Plot
A former US Customs and Border Protection officer has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after admitting he used his official position to help Mexican drug traffickers smuggle large quantities of narcotics into the United States.
The Scheme: Abusing Authority for Personal Gain
Diego Bonillo, 30, pleaded guilty in July to multiple charges, including conspiracy to import controlled substances. According to court documents, Bonillo exploited his role at the border, specifically at the Tecate and Otay Mesa border crossings.
Prosecutors revealed that Bonillo used a secret phone to alert his co-conspirators about which inspection lanes he would be overseeing. This allowed him to ensure at least 15 vehicles entered the US without inspection between October 2023 and April 2024.
Staggering Quantities of Drugs Smuggled
As part of his plea deal, Bonillo admitted to facilitating the entry of enormous amounts of drugs. The US Attorney's Office in San Diego confirmed the smuggled narcotics included:
- At least 75 kilograms of fentanyl
- 11.7 kilograms of methamphetamine
- More than 1 kilogram of heroin
These substances, which also included cocaine, represent a significant threat to public health and safety.
Lavish Lifestyle Funded by Crime
The illicit payments Bonillo received funded a life of luxury. Prosecutors stated he used the money to travel internationally, purchase luxury gifts, and attempt to buy property in Mexico.
He was also a frequent visitor to the Hong Kong Gentlemen’s Club in Tijuana, Mexico, illustrating how he profited from betraying his duty to protect the border.
Diego Bonillo was formally sentenced on 7 November and will now serve a 15-year term in federal prison for his crimes, marking a significant conviction in the fight against border corruption and drug trafficking.
