A former border officer is accused of working with a cartel to facilitate human and drug smuggling at the U.S.-Mexico border. Federal agents say Manuel Perez Jr., 32, helped illegal migrants enter the country and transported drugs while using his position at the Paso Del Norte bridge to bypass security screenings.
Perez was arrested on February 8 after an investigation by the FBI’s West Texas Border Corruption Task Force. Prosecutors say he had ties to La Linea, a cartel responsible for drug trafficking operations in Juárez. He was fired from U.S. Customs and Border Protection following the allegations.
"El Paso CBP officer arrested for human smuggling was allegedly in Mexican drug cartel"
Manuel Perez, former CBP Officer, jailed and denied parole.
A fox guarding a hen house.
Does the absurdity ever end…#Border #CORRUPTION #CBP pic.twitter.com/LNCQysZuiJ
— Jennifer Coffindaffer (@CoffindafferFBI) February 15, 2025
According to prosecutors, Perez allowed migrants to pass through his inspection lane in exchange for $2,500 per person. The scheme reportedly generated up to $400,000, and intercepted communications suggested smugglers had “an officer in their pocket” to guarantee successful crossings.
WHERE IS THE STORY about the CBP Officer Manuel Perez Jr who was a member of the La Linea drug cartel, smuggling humans? I can't find it.
— Carpe Diem (@SwampDrainDC) February 14, 2025
Authorities also allege that Perez participated in drug trafficking. He is accused of helping transport 8 kilograms of cocaine to Louisiana and North Carolina, with financial records and surveillance evidence linking him to the operation.
CBP Officer Arrested for Alleged Cartel Smuggling.
A U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer accused of smuggling migrants at the El Paso, Texas, border was allegedly a member of a Mexican drug cartel, a federal agent testified Thursday.
Manuel Perez Jr., 32, was arrested…— Lance (@LanceMahan56338) February 14, 2025
A search of Perez’s home in Juárez uncovered $18,000 in cash. Witnesses reported that he spent most of his time in Mexico and was often armed. Some witnesses, according to prosecutors, claimed he preferred to be arrested in Mexico, believing he could continue criminal activities from prison.
Perez remains in custody after a federal judge denied his request for bond. If convicted, he faces a minimum of 10 years in prison, with the possibility of a life sentence. His attorney insists the witnesses against him are unreliable and may be testifying in hopes of securing lighter sentences in their own cases.
