U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer Leonard Darnell George was charged in an indictment unsealed Monday in San Diego with accepting bribes to allow vehicles containing drugs such as fentanyl and methamphetamine to pass through the border into the U.S.
George is also charged along with Mario Angel Gutierrez, Esteban Galvan and four other unnamed defendants with conspiracy to import and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances in Southern California and beyond. According to the indictment and other public records, the defendants allegedly coordinated the smuggling of methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine and heroin from Mexico with an ultimate destination of the United States.
Officer George is charged separately with receiving bribes. The indictment alleges that he directly and indirectly sought and received items of value in exchange for being induced to permit narcotics-laden vehicles entry into the United States.
