By Steve Neavling
A CBP officer is accused of accepting bribes in exchange for allowing an individual to import what he believed was several kilograms of cocaine into the U.S.
Emanuel Celedon, 35, who worked at the Laredo Port of Entry in Texas, has been charged with two counts of bribery and two counts of attempted importation of cocaine, the Justice Department announced last week.
Between Oct. 1 and Oct. 17, Celedon is accused of allowing an individual to smuggle cocaine into the U.S. from Mexico through the Laredo Port of Entry. He also allegedly accepted a similar bribe from Oct. 23 to Oct. 30.
If convicted on the cocaine charge, Celedon faces between five and 40 years in prison and a maximum $5 million fine. On the bribery charge, Celedon faces up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General, DEA and CBP Office of Professional Responsibility conducted the investigation.
