Federal Agents Say CBP Officer Took Cartel Bribes To Smuggle Migrants
A former U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer is accused of abusing his position at the Texas-Mexico border to smuggle migrants and traffic drugs in partnership with a Mexican cartel. Federal authorities say Manuel Perez Jr. was arrested after an investigation linked him to La Linea, a violent criminal organization operating in Juárez.
The FBI’s West Texas Border Corruption Task Force arrested Perez on February 8, charging him with human smuggling, drug trafficking, and corruption. During a hearing in El Paso, a federal judge denied his request for bond, determining he posed a serious flight risk due to his extensive cartel ties.
Investigators allege that Perez used his position at the Paso Del Norte international bridge to facilitate illegal crossings, charging migrants $2,500 each for passage through his inspection lane. According to intercepted communications, smugglers referred to his lane as a “guaranteed” entry point, stating they had the officer “in their pocket.”
Authorities say Perez may have collected as much as $400,000 through the scheme, which reportedly began in December 2023. In addition to human smuggling, he is accused of working with a co-conspirator to transport cocaine from Texas to other states. Federal agents claim he assisted in moving at least 8 kilograms of cocaine and received a $20,000 payment for his role.
Searches of Perez’s home in Juárez uncovered $18,000 in cash, and witnesses testified that he spent the majority of his time in Mexico, allegedly operating with cartel protection. Some claimed he preferred to be arrested in Mexico, believing he could continue criminal activity from behind bars.
Perez’s attorney has challenged the credibility of witnesses, arguing they are providing testimony to secure leniency in their own cases. Despite this, federal prosecutors have built a case against him based on financial records, surveillance footage, and intercepted communications. If convicted, Perez faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.
