(FreePressBeacon.com) – A troubling discovery has shaken trust at our borders as a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer, Manuel Perez Jr., faces charges for allegedly aiding the Juárez cartel in smuggling migrants.
See the tweet below!
Such actions not only threaten national security but call into question the integrity of those sworn to protect our country.
Manuel Perez Jr., a seasoned border patrol officer stationed in El Paso, has been arrested by the FBI El Paso West Texas Border Corruption Task Force.
He’s accused of having deep ties with La Línea, the enforcer group for the Juárez drug cartel.
The investigation suggests Perez acted as a gatekeeper, ensuring safe passage for undocumented migrants through U.S. checkpoints.
Perez allegedly accepted $2,500 for each illegal migrant he helped cross, potentially accruing up to $400,000.
This corrupt misuse of position exemplifies a breach of duty that every border enforcer takes upon taking their oath.
The implications are severe, with intercepted communications from smugglers confidently boasting “100 percent guaranteed” crossings due to their “officer in the pocket.”
Perez’s defense attorney argues he’s being scapegoated by those actually running the operation.
“The cooperating witnesses are telling them (federal investigators) whatever they want to hear for now,” claims Attorney Ruben Ortiz, cited by Newsweek.
Despite this defense, Perez remains in federal custody with his arraignment scheduled soon in El Paso.
Evidence gathered shows Perez spent most of his non-working time across the border in Mexico, where he also rented a home.
Witnesses from the region report Perez was often armed and protected by a security detail.
Searches of his residence revealed $18,000 in cash.
During his duties, he’s accused of manipulating the CBP’s TECS system, enabling smooth trafficking operations.
The charges extend beyond human smuggling, linking Perez to a cocaine distribution plot stretching from El Paso to multiple states.
His likely connection to drug trafficking darkens the allegations with an additional gravity, urging urgent introspection within law enforcement agencies.
The Department of Justice captures the essence of the motivation behind these alleged deeds: “commercial advantage and private financial gain.”
As Perez awaits trial, the unsettling case underscores a broader problem of corruption within border agencies.
Over 200 CBP agents currently face investigation for similar misconduct.
The outcome of this case is crucial—any leniency could further erode trust in those protecting our nation’s borders, compromising not only the safety of American citizens but also the very image and integrity of U.S. law enforcement.
A US CBP officer arrested for smuggling illegal aliens across the border in El Paso was also moonlighting as a member of the Juarez drug cartels. Manuel Perez Jr. is a US citizen originally from Cal. If convicted, Perez could face from 10 years to life.https://t.co/VBrYrFYikq
— Robbie Mouton (@mcgmouton57) February 17, 2025
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