SAN DIEGO – Two U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers have pleaded guilty to conspiring with a Mexico-based poly-drug trafficking organization to allow drug-laden vehicles to enter the United States without inspection.
Jesse Clark Garcia, who was assigned to the Tecate Port of Entry, and Diego Bonillo, who worked at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry, admitted to notifying members of the trafficking organization when and where they would be stationed. According to prosecutors, the officers used a secret, emoji-based code to relay their assignments. In turn, traffickers sent vehicles carrying narcotics through their lanes, knowing the officers would wave them through.
Garcia pleaded guilty on July 8 to nine counts of an indictment, including conspiracy to import controlled substances and importation of cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl.
Bonillo entered his guilty plea on July 28, just before his trial was set to begin. He pleaded guilty to three counts, including conspiracy to import controlled substances and importation of fentanyl and heroin.
Bonillo admitted that as part of the scheme, he allowed at least 75 kilograms of fentanyl, 4.5 kilograms of methamphetamine, and more than 1 kilogram of heroin into the U.S. Prosecutors said both men profited significantly from the conspiracy, funding domestic and international travel, buying luxury items, and attempting to purchase real estate in Mexico.
Garcia is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 26. Bonillo’s sentencing is set for Nov. 7.
