News Summary
Two U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers from San Diego have pleaded guilty to serious drug trafficking charges. Diego Bonillo and Jesse Clark Garcia admitted to facilitating the smuggling of drugs, including fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine, across the U.S.-Mexico border. Their illicit activities involved allowing vehicles loaded with narcotics to bypass inspections, resulting in millions of dollars of drugs entering the U.S. The officers lived extravagant lifestyles funded by their illegal actions. Sentencing for both men is scheduled for later this year, with potential maximum penalties of life imprisonment.
San Diego – Two U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, Diego Bonillo, 30, and Jesse Clark Garcia, 37, have pleaded guilty to serious drug trafficking charges related to their roles at border crossings in San Diego. Bonnie entered his plea on July 28, 2025, acknowledging his involvement in a conspiracy to import controlled substances, specifically fentanyl and heroin. Meanwhile, Garcia pleaded guilty on July 8, 2025, to multiple counts that included conspiracy to import controlled substances along with cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl.
The two officers facilitated illegal drug smuggling by permitting vehicles laden with narcotics to pass through inspection lanes at the U.S.-Mexico border without undergoing any scrutiny. Bonillo was stationed at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry, while Garcia was assigned to the Tecate Port of Entry. Their collaboration with a Mexican drug trafficking organization involved the use of covert, coded communications to indicate their working shifts and which inspection lanes to infiltrate.
Prosecutors detailed that Bonillo confessed to allowing at least 75 kilograms of fentanyl, 4.5 kilograms of methamphetamine, and over 1 kilogram of heroin into the United States through his designated lane. Court documents further revealed that Garcia received tens of thousands of dollars in compensation for each vehicle he approved without inspection. Their illicit operations allowed the transport of over 1,150 pounds of drugs into the U.S. over an extended period, contributing significantly to the ongoing drug crisis.
Records disclose that both officers indulged in extravagant lifestyles funded by their illegal activities. Luxury purchases included high-end items from renowned brands such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Burberry. Furthermore, they financed expensive vacations and properties located in Mexico. Notably, Bonillo was apprehended in Las Vegas last year while in possession of expensive boxing tickets, highlighting a lifestyle that far surpassed his lawful government earnings.
Sentencing for Garcia is slated for September 26, 2025, and Bonillo is set to be sentenced on November 7, 2025. Both men could face maximum penalties of up to life imprisonment for their crimes. The charges against them emerge from an investigation led by the FBI Border Corruption Task Force, aiming to uncover and address corruption within border enforcement agencies.
In a parallel case, Leonard Darnell George, another CBP officer, was sentenced to over 23 years in prison for similar offenses, underscoring a disturbing pattern of corruption within the border control division. This ongoing issue raises alarms about the integrity and effectiveness of border security measures, prompting officials to intensify their scrutiny of employee conduct at the nation’s borders.
The involvement of U.S. federal officers in drug trafficking not only jeopardizes national security but also exacerbates the public health crisis caused by the influx of illicit substances that lead to addiction and fatalities. As law enforcement continues to combat these challenges, the cases of Bonillo and Garcia serve as stark reminders of the vulnerabilities within border protection and the critical need for stringent oversight and accountability.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
CBP Officer Pleads Guilty to Drug Importation Charges
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Advanced Drug Smuggling Tunnel Discovered Beneath US-Mexico Border
Additional Resources
- 10News
- Wikipedia: Drug Trafficking
- Fox 5 San Diego
- Google Search: Customs and Border Protection
- ABC News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Drug Abuse
- NBC San Diego
- Google Scholar: Customs officers drug trafficking
Author: STAFF HERE SAN DIEGO WRITER
SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
