Authorities have taken an agent into custody at the U.S.-Mexico border after he was caught helping to smuggle cocaine into the U.S. through a checkpoint.
As the situation at the border continues to worsen, corruption has been uncovered. Thanks to Joe Biden‘s campaign promises and policies in office, there has been a surge of illegal immigration and smuggling at the border. Now, a U.S. Border Patrol agent has been implicated in a drug trafficking scheme.
Oberlin Cortez Peña Jr., 22, has been taken into custody by authorities after being accused of helping smuggle cocaine through a checkpoint near the U.S.-Mexico border, according to acting US attorney for the Southern District of Texas, Jennifer B. Lowery.
Federal agent charged with aiding drug smuggling#McAllenTx #LaJoyaTxhttps://t.co/NrGqJOVEvL
— US Attorney SDTX (@USAO_SDTX) July 12, 2021
According to the allegations, on two separate occasions, Peña had accepted $1,000 in exchange for helping a vehicle pass through a checkpoint in Falfurrias, Texas, with 11 pounds of cocaine.
Officials have alleged that Peña “utilized his knowledge” as a Border Patrol agent “in acting as a scout and providing information about the inspection lanes and which one to utilize.”
According to a criminal complaint, Peña gave the drug smugglers detailed instructions on how to hide the drugs, as well as tactics to use to distract the K-9 unit at the checkpoint.
If Peña is convicted of the charges, he faces a minimum sentence of 10 years to life in federal prison, alongside a possible $10 million maximum fine.
U.S. Border Patrol Agent Oberlin Cortez-Peña Jr., 22, of La Joya is accused of accepting cash in exchange for allowing cocaine to pass through the Falfurrias checkpoint #rgv https://t.co/nFp0wjbIXp pic.twitter.com/67YfDfEzFD
— Dave Hendricks (@dmhj) July 12, 2021
Reports indicate that Peña was also arrested back in March of 2021 for a DUI.
