El Paso Customs Officer Arrested for Human Smuggling and Drug Trafficking

A Customs and Border Protection officer has been arrested and charged in connection with a conspiracy to smuggle undocumented individuals into the U.S. and drug trafficking activities.

Manuel Perez Jr., 32, of El Paso, is accused of smuggling undocumented noncitizens between December 21, 2023, and February 5, 2025, for financial gain. According to court documents, Perez Jr. admitted allowing vehicles driven by undocumented noncitizens through the Paso Del Norte Port of Entry as part of multiple human smuggling operations.

Additionally, Perez Jr. is alleged to have conspired to possess and distribute over 5 kilograms of cocaine across Texas, Louisiana, North Carolina, and other states from November 1, 2019, to February 5, 2025.

Perez Jr. faces one count of conspiracy to bring aliens to the U.S. for financial gain, three counts of bringing aliens to the U.S. for financial gain, and one count of conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute. If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison for the human smuggling conspiracy charge, three to ten years for each of the three human smuggling charges, and 10 years to life for the drug trafficking charge.

The investigation was a joint effort between the FBI El Paso, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Professional Responsibility, and the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, as part of the FBI El Paso West Texas Border Corruption Task Force.

Assistant U.S. Attorney John Johnston is prosecuting the case.