The US customs and border security agent has been accused of being a member of a Mexican drug cartel that exploited his position on smuggling illegal aliens into the country.
CBP executive Manuel Perez Jr., 32, ended from the agency when he was arrested on Feb. 8 for federal human and drug crowding charges. El Paso Times.
“All measures make him live in Mexico.”
Perez, a US citizen born in California, was stationed at Paso del Norte International Bridge in El Paso, Texas.
If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison.
A special agent from the CBP Expert Responsibility Office testified that Perez is a member of the drug cartel.
“Several witnesses said he belonged to the Lanea Cartel in Mexico,” said a special agent.
The agent explained that intercepted calls from the smugglers promised a “100% guaranteed” border intersection and claimed they had “officials in their pockets.”
Perez's lawyer, Reuben Ortiz, argued that the suspected co-conspirator may have lied about his client's involvement. He accused them of “pointing a finger, perhaps to benefit from the government in their own cases.”
“The witnesses who are cooperating are telling (federal agents) anything they want to hear for now,” Ortiz said.
Agents testified that Perez admitted to federal agents that he received $2,500 for every permit he allowed him to pass through the inspection lanes of the tropical border. Investigators revealed that Perez allowed the grey Nissan Pathfinder carrying illegal aliens to cross the border multiple times. The exact number of illegal immigrants, including children Perez allegedly placed in the United States, remains unknown.
Federal agents estimated that up to $400,000 of Perez could have been paid since December 2023 for involvement in illegal smuggling operations. He is also accused of participating in the cocaine distribution scheme from November 2019 to February 5, 2025.
Perez has no past history of criminal conduct or substance abuse.
Perez's investigation revealed that despite CBP officials claiming he lived in El Paso, he was said to have spent about 80% of his time in Mexico.
“All measures make him live in Mexico,” the prosecutor alleged.
Special agents testified that Perez was always armed and had details of his armed security while he was in Mexico.
Ortiz said he spent quite a bit of time in Mexico as his client had a girlfriend who lives there.
One witness argued that if Perez was arrested, he would prefer to be detained in Mexico and could continue illegal activities from within the prison.
The Mexican agent reportedly searched for a property for Perez rental in Juarez and found $18,000 in cash.
US Magistrate Judge Miguel Torres rejected Ortiz's request to release Perez in his bond with GPS monitoring. The judge cited Perez's extensive time spent in Mexico and determined that “unsuspected” Perez posed a flight risk. As a result, Perez will remain in prison without being held.
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