A U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer was sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to working with Mexican drug traffickers to smuggle narcotics into the United States, officials announced Thursday.
Diego Bonillo, 30, admitted in July to multiple charges, including conspiracy to import controlled substances such as cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin. As part of his plea deal, Bonillo acknowledged using his position to allow drug-filled vehicles to enter the U.S. from Mexico without undergoing inspection.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in San Diego, Bonillo facilitated the entry of at least 75 kilograms of fentanyl, 11.7 kilograms of methamphetamine, and over 1 kilogram of heroin.
Prosecutors revealed in sentencing documents that Bonillo used a secret phone to communicate with the drug trafficking group. He would alert them about the lanes he was overseeing at the Tecate and Otay Mesa border crossings, ensuring their shipments bypassed inspection.
Investigations showed that Bonillo’s involvement in the scheme began no later than October 2023 and continued until April 2024. During this time, he helped at least 15 vehicles enter the country without inspection.
Bonillo reportedly used his illicit payments to fund international travel, purchase luxury gifts, attempt to buy property in Mexico, and spend time at the Hong Kong Gentlemen’s Club in Tijuana, Mexico.
On November 7, he was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison.
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