A U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer was arrested for allegedly waving a van-load of marijuana into the United States while on duty at the border crossing between the U.S. and Mexico in Brownsville, Texas.
Jose Luis Zavala, a seven-year veteran of the agency, was behind bars on Monday following an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, CNN reported. The 38-year-old CBP officer had been charged for conspiring with drug traffickers to move more than 3,000 pounds of marijuana into the U.S.
"We do not tolerate corruption or abuse within our ranks, and we fully cooperate with any criminal or administrative investigation of alleged misconduct by any of our personnel, on or off duty," CBP said in a statement, adding that an overwhelming majority of its employees work tirelessly to guard the nation.
In November, Zavala was working at Gateway International Bridge when a white 2004 Ford cargo van with Mexican license plates pulled up to his inspection booth for admission into the United States, according to court papers.
Inside the van were the 3,000 pounds of marijuana, which, the complaint states "was not hidden in a compartment or disguised to appear as legitimate cargo."
After Zavala allowed the van to pass through, it was randomly selected for more in-depth inspection, a decision not controlled by the 38-year-old officer. The van's driver then reportedly jumped out, leaving behind a U.S. passport card, and escaped back across the bridge into Mexico, Chron reported.
When questioned about the incident, Zavala claimed he had allowed the driver to pass through after checking his valid ID. But upon further investigation, officials learned that the ID did not belong to the driver, but to another person who agents had interviewed on November 22, according to the complaint.
The unidentified person, "now a confidential source for the government, told investigators that he sold his ID to a drug trafficking organization, and that the group was aided by a U.S. agent," CNN reported, adding that he later also identified Zavala in a photo.
On Nov. 19, federal inspectors checked Zavala's phone and found three text messages regarding a discussion about smuggling payments. "Pepe I was told by my uncle that the thing was lost," reads one of the texts after the marijuana was seized. "Where do I go or what do I say when I cross?"
Meanwhile, Zavala has been placed on administrative leave while he faces smuggling and corruption charges, the agency said.
