A former U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison for using his position at the Tecate Port of Entry in California to help a Sinaloa Cartel-linked trafficking organization smuggle drugs into the United States.
Jesse Clark Garcia pleaded guilty in July 2025 to nine felony counts related to drug trafficking and admitted providing traffickers with his work schedules and inspection-lane assignments so vehicles carrying narcotics could pass through without inspection. His co-defendant, former CBP officer Diego Bonillo, was sentenced to 15 years in prison in November 2025. According to prosecutors, the officers used an emoji-based code in text messages to coordinate with traffickers. Garcia also manipulated CBP’s duty-switching system to place himself in targeted inspection lanes and, in some cases, falsely reported technical problems to avoid mandatory checks.
Garcia received at least $10,000 for each vehicle he allowed through. Investigators said his proceeds financed luxury purchases, a San Diego residence, an equine racing business and a ranch in Mexico. As part of his plea, Garcia admitted facilitating the importation of at least 100 kilograms of fentanyl, 107 kilograms of methamphetamine and 270 kilograms of cocaine. The case was investigated by multiple federal agencies, including the FBI, CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility and the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General. Garcia was arrested by Mexican authorities in May 2024 after U.S. investigators obtained a federal warrant. Federal officials said the sentence underscores the government’s commitment to prosecuting public employees who exploit their positions for criminal gain and compromise border security.