CBP Officer Gets Caught in $68,000 Drug Bribery Scandal

Leonard Darnell George, 38, a former U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer, was convicted by a federal jury of accepting bribes to allow vehicles containing methamphetamine and other illicit drugs to pass through the border into the U.S.

George was also convicted of allowing vehicles with unauthorized individuals to pass through his lane and into the U.S. while working for two separate criminal organizations. The jury delivered the verdict on June 10, 2024.

According to the prosecution, George agreed to allow drug-laden vehicles to enter the U.S. through his lane in late 2021. He would notify members of the drug trafficking organization when he was at work, what lane he was on, and that they had one hour to reach his lane. However, in February 2022, after an alert was placed by law enforcement agents on a suspected drug smuggling vehicle, George was forced to send the vehicle to secondary, revealing approximately 222 pounds of methamphetamine.

Undeterred, George allowed a second drug-laden vehicle affiliated with the drug trafficking organization and traveling directly behind the flagged vehicle to enter the U.S. with over 200 pounds of drugs. Text messages sent by George the following day revealed he received approximately $13,000 for the vehicle he allowed to enter the U.S. On the same day he received his bribe payment, George purchased a 2020 Cadillac CT5 for an associate of the drug trafficking organization as a gift.

Over the course of six months, George continued to allow vehicles containing drugs and undocumented individuals to enter the U.S. through his lane. He repeatedly omitted passengers and the true names of drivers coming through his lane, instead entering the names of others to conceal his criminal activities.

Law enforcement agents and prosecutors identified approximately 19 crossings associated with the criminal organizations during the six-month time period. Text messages confirmed George agreed to allow vehicles through his lane for $17,000 per vehicle, $34,000 for two vehicles, $51,000 for three vehicles, or $65,000 for four vehicles.

The prosecution also revealed that George purchased vehicles, motorcycles, and jewelry with the proceeds of his illicit activities. Additionally, on George’s days off, he travelled to Tijuana to visit Hong Kong Gentlemen’s Club where he spent approximately $5,000 per trip.

Prosecutors admitted a photograph of one of George’s trafficking associates taking a selfie in George’s CBP uniform jacket, revealing the extent of George’s relationship with traffickers.

“With this verdict, the jury sent a clear message to anyone considering trading in their badge for cash,” said U.S. Attorney Tara K. McGrath. “Abandoning the integrity of the uniform for the conspiracy of drug trafficking is a path to a criminal conviction.”

“As persons in positions of public trust, we are relied upon to serve and protect the American people,” said FBI San Diego Special Agent in Charge, Stacey Moy. “We also rely on each other to uphold that sacred oath. Should that oath be violated, the FBI and it’s law enforcement partners remain steadfast in our pursuit of justice, even if it means holding ourselves accountable.”

“CBP does not tolerate misconduct within its ranks,” said Special Agent in Charge Elizabeth Cervantes of CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility, San Diego Field Office.