A former U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after admitting he worked with Mexican drug traffickers to smuggle narcotics into the United States, federal officials announced Thursday.
Diego Bonillo, 30, pleaded guilty in July to multiple charges, including conspiracy to import cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, and other controlled substances.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in San Diego, Bonillo used his position at the Tecate and Otay Mesa border crossings to wave drug-laden vehicles through without inspection. As part of his plea agreement, he acknowledged that he knowingly allowed at least 75 kilograms of fentanyl, 11.7 kilograms of methamphetamine, and more than 1 kilogram of heroin into the country.
Prosecutors said Bonillo communicated with the trafficking organization using a secret phone, giving advance notice of the lanes he would control so smugglers could cross without scrutiny. Investigators determined the scheme was underway by October 2023 and continued through April 2024, during which at least 15 vehicles entered the U.S. uninspected.
Court documents state that Bonillo used the money he received to fund international travel, buy luxury items, attempt to purchase property in Mexico, and frequent the Hong Kong Gentlemen’s Club in Tijuana.
Bonillo was sentenced on November 7 and will serve 15 years in federal prison.
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