Former US customs officer convicted of corruption and drug trafficking

A former U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer was convicted this week of bribery after allowing vehicles carrying illegal drugs to enter the United States from Mexico in exchange for large sums of money paid by criminal organizations.

Leonard Darnell George, who worked at the San Ysidro border crossing between San Diego and Tijuana earlier this decade, was convicted Monday by a federal jury in U.S. District Court in San Diego.

Fentanyl, heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine came to the United States with the help of @CBPSanDiego Officer Leonard Darnell George, federal prosecutors say. George is accused of accepting bribes in exchange for being allowed to cross the US-Mexico border. @nbcsandiego Back in court on 07/11. pic.twitter.com/sG2CAvVGd8

– Jackie Créa (@JackieCreaTV) July 6, 2023

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of California (USAO) said in a news release Wednesday that George, who is now in his early 40s, was convicted of “taking bribes to allowing vehicles containing methamphetamine and other illegal drugs to pass through.” the border with the United States »

He also said he was convicted of “allowing vehicles carrying unauthorized individuals to cross his lane and enter the United States while he worked for two separate criminal organizations.”

George's nickname among drug dealers associated with him was “el portero” or “the doorman.”

He allegedly made his first contacts with traffickers while visiting a strip club in Tijuana. In addition to methamphetamine, George facilitated the entry into the United States of small amounts of heroin, cocaine and fentanyl, according to court documents.

During a six-month period in late 2021 and early 2022, law enforcement officers and prosecutors identified approximately 19 illegal crossings facilitated by the former CBP officer, according to the USAO.

“George repeatedly omitted passengers and the real names of drivers using his lane, instead grabbing the names of others to conceal his criminal activities,” the office said.

He ended up arousing the suspicions of his colleagues, which led to his downfall.

While his illicit scheme was in progress, George received bribes of at least US$13,000 for each vehicle he allowed to pass.

During his trial, a number of witnesses testified that George agreed to allow cars carrying drugs to enter the United States through his lane at the border crossing in late 2021.

“George would inform members of the drug trafficking organization when he was at work, what lane he was on and that they had one hour to reach his lane,” the USAO said.

In February 2022, the corrupt official finds himself in a delicate situation. A car carrying a CBP alert for being a suspected drug trafficking vehicle was flagged when it entered George's lane at the border crossing, forcing him to refer it for secondary inspection, which discovered 222 pounds, or a little over 100 kg. of methamphetamine.

“Undeterred, George allowed a second drug-laden vehicle, affiliated with the drug trafficking organization and traveling directly behind the flagged vehicle, to enter the United States with more than 200 pounds of drugs,” a statement said. USAO said.

“Text messages sent by George the next day reveal that he received approximately $13,000 for the vehicle he allowed into the United States. The same day he received his bribe, George purchased as a gift a 2020 Cadillac CT5 for an associate of the drug trafficking organization,” the office said, adding that he delivered it to the associate in Ensenada on Valentine’s Day.

The former CBP official later increased his fee for bringing a drug-laden vehicle into the United States to $17,000, seized text messages revealed. However, it offered a small discount for a four-vehicle deal, charging $65,000 instead of $68,000.

In total, it appears George accepted more than $300,000 in bribes. A witness told the court he purchased vehicles, motorcycles and jewelry with the proceeds of his illicit activities.

“Additionally, on George's days off, he would travel to Tijuana to visit the Hong Kong Gentlemen's Club where he spent approximately $5,000 per trip,” the USAO said.

“He stood on the second floor of the club and threw cash over the balcony to the dancers below, “drenching” them with money. He bought bottles of alcohol, and sometimes gifts, for the dancers,” the statement added.

A photograph presented during the trial provided insight into George's warm relationship with his drug dealing associates. It showed one of the narcos taking a selfie while wearing the ex-official's CBP uniform jacket.

With its guilty verdict, the San Diego jury “sent a clear message to anyone considering trading their badge for money,” said U.S. Attorney Tara K. McGrath.

“Abandoning the integrity of the uniform for drug trafficking conspiracy is a path to a criminal conviction,” she added.

George's sentencing is scheduled for September 13.

The former customs officer faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison for taking part in bribery as a public official; life for conspiracy to import controlled substances; and 10 years for each of the two counts of “introduction of certain foreigners for the purpose of financial gain”.

With reports from Milenio and AP