CNN
—

A former U.S. border inspector was sentenced to 23 years in prison Friday for taking bribes to allow people and drug-laden vehicles into the country, officials said.

The US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California said witnesses testified at the hearing that 42-year-old Leonard Darnell George agreed to allow vehicles to pass in his lane at the San Ysidro border crossing in San Diego, the country’s busiest port of entry, in late 2021. in a newsletter. In February 2022, an alarm placed on a suspicious vehicle prompted a search of one of those vehicles, resulting in the seizure of 222 pounds (100 kilograms) of methamphetamine.

The then-U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent later allowed another vehicle to enter the country with 200 pounds of drugs, prosecutors said. Text messages show the officer received $17,000 per vehicle and $68,000 in June 2022 after allowing four vehicles into his lane.

A jury found him guilty of accepting bribes and other charges in June.

“CBP does not tolerate misconduct within its ranks,” said Elizabeth Cervantes, special agent in charge of the agency’s Office of Professional Responsibility in San Diego.