TIJUANA, MEX- NOVEMBER 08:Motorists wait in line to cross the border at the San Ysidro Port of Entry on November 8, 2021 in Tijuana, Mexico. Monday was the official opening of the border to non-essential visitors as COVID restrictions eased. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images)
A U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer has been charged in an indictment unsealed Monday with allegedly accepting bribes to allow drug-laden vehicles across the U.S.-Mexico border.
Leonard Darnell George is charged along with several others with conspiracy to import and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in San Diego. George is separately charged with receiving bribes, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.
"The indictment alleges that Officer George broke the very drug trafficking laws that he was supposed to enforce," San Diego U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman said in a statement.
Prosecutors allege George took "items of value" in return for letting vehicles carrying drugs into the country. Others charged in the indictment allegedly coordinated the smuggling of methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine and heroin from Mexico into the U.S.
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"The vast majority of CBP officers are highly skilled, hard-working professionals dedicated to our mission of protecting the American public and we do not stand for those that would tarnish our badge," said Sidney Aki, director of field operations for CBP in San Diego. "The San Diego Field Office will cooperate fully as the case proceeds."
George is due to appear in San Diego federal court for a detention hearing on Thursday.
