Diego Bonillo, 31, a former CBP officer, was sentenced to 15 years after admitting he accepted payments to let drug-filled vehicles enter the U.S. from October 2023 to April 2024. Prosecutors say he allowed at least 15 vehicles carrying roughly 75 kg of fentanyl, 11.7 kg of methamphetamine and over 1 kg of heroin. Investigators say he used a secret phone to coordinate lane assignments with smugglers and spent the proceeds on travel and luxury purchases.
Ex-CBP Officer Sentenced to 15 Years for Letting Drug-Laden Vehicles Enter U.S.
Diego Bonillo, 31, a former CBP officer, was sentenced to 15 years after admitting he accepted payments to let drug-filled vehicles enter the U.S. from October 2023 to April 2024. Prosecutors say he allowed at least 15 vehicles carrying roughly 75 kg of fentanyl, 11.7 kg of methamphetamine and over 1 kg of heroin. Investigators say he used a secret phone to coordinate lane assignments with smugglers and spent the proceeds on travel and luxury purchases.
08:43 AM, 11/16/2025Security
Former CBP officer receives lengthy prison term for border corruption
A former U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after admitting he accepted payments to let smugglers drive drug-laden vehicles into the United States via the southern border.
Diego Bonillo, 31, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import controlled substances and importation of controlled substances, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California.
"This sentence holds Bonillo accountable for betraying the public trust," said Adam Gordon, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California. "He weaponized his badge for personal profit, funneling deadly narcotics through a port of entry and putting communities at risk. Corruption like this will be met with the full force of the law."
What prosecutors say
Authorities say Bonillo admitted he worked with a Mexico-based drug trafficking organization and accepted payments to allow vehicles carrying illegal drugs to enter the U.S. without inspection. Prosecutors reported he permitted at least 15 vehicles to cross without inspection between October 2023 and April 2024.
He confessed to allowing approximately 75 kilograms of fentanyl, 11.7 kilograms of methamphetamine and more than 1 kilogram of heroin into the country.
Investigators determined Bonillo used a second, undisclosed phone to communicate lane assignments and times to smugglers so they would know which lane and when he could guarantee entry.
Use of proceeds and sentencing
According to court records, Bonillo spent the money he received on international travel, luxury items, tickets to a boxing match, an attempted property purchase in Mexico and visits to a club in Tijuana. He has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for his role in the scheme.
"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," said Mark Dargis, special agent in charge of the FBI San Diego Field Office. "He disgraced the badge and violated his oath to protect the American people. This sentence reflects the FBI's commitment to hold accountable anyone who corrupts their role at the expense of our citizens' safety."
This case underscores ongoing concerns about corruption and the trafficking of synthetic opioids and other dangerous drugs through official ports of entry. Federal authorities said they will continue investigating and prosecuting public officials who betray public trust for profit.