In a surprising incident, Leonard Darnell George, a Customs and Border Protection Officer in the United States, has been indicted for accepting bribes and then allowing vehicles full of dangerous drugs through the United States border.

This indictment also includes Mario Ángel Gutiérrez, Esteban Galván, and four other non-identified individuals, charging with conspiracy to import and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances in the Southern District of California and elsewhere. According to investigations, these individuals had coordinated the smuggling of methamphetamines, fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin from Mexico in order to let these drugs into the United States.

Officer George is also being charged for receiving bribes where it is alleged that he directly and indirectly “demanded, sought, received, accepted, and agreed” to receive items of value in order to allow vehicles full of narcotics entry into the United States, seriously violating his official duties of following the laws regarding controlled substances and customs laws in his country.

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In the midst of this scandal, Gutiérrez is also facing charges due to possessions of a firearm that relates to his drug trafficking activities, complicating even more his legal situation. According to U.S. attorney Randy Grossman:

The indictment alleges that Officer George broke the very drug trafficking laws that he was supposed to enforce.

"The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our agency partners in the Southern District of California are committed to rooting out and punishing corruption", he added. Grossman thanked the prosecution team and investigating agencies for their excellent work on this case.

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This significant arrest is putting pressure on HSI and its federal partners, in charge of making sure laws are followed, to dismantle transnational criminal organizations and eliminate all kinds of corruption in the government. Chad Plantz, Special Agent in Charge for HSI San Diego, emphasized his commitment in making sure his agency protects the country and its citizens.

According to a press statement, The Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, led by Joseph V. Cuffari, Ph.D., will continue working closely with its partners to make sure that laws apply so as to aggressively investigate all corruption reports.

In addition, Stacey Moy, FBI San Diego Field Office Special Agent, emphasized the responsibility that all government employees must have to operate with the utmost integrity and foster public trust. Moy claimed that any individual who betrays this trust will be punished.

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