Tucson Border Patrol Agent Arrested for Drug Trafficking

TUCSON, AZ — A Tucson border patrol agent was arrested Aug. 9 on multiple counts of conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office District of Arizona. The agent had been assigned to the Ajo Border Patrol Station in the Tucson sector.

The agent in question, 53-year-old Carlos Victor Passapera Pinott, was observed leaving his home in Buckeye near Phoenix around 3 a.m. and traveling to the Lukeville point of entry at the U.S.-Mexico border. He then drove to Phoenix's Sky Harbor International Airport where he loaded two duffel bags into a separate vehicle. Law enforcement stopped the vehicle as it attempted to leave the airport.

Testing revealed that the duffel bags were stuffed with 21 kg of cocaine, 1 kg of heroin and 1 kg of fentanyl. Approximately 350,000 found in the bags were found to be fentanyl as well.

Law enforcement executed a warrant and arrested Passapera at his Buckeye home that afternoon, according to the release. A search of the home turned up $329,000 in cash; an additional $40,000 was located in the vehicle Passapera used to transport narcotics. He had his initial appearance Monday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Leslie A. Bowman of the District of Arizona.

Convictions for conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances carry a maximum penalty of life in prison, a mandatory minimum penalty of ten years and up to a $10,000,000 fine.

The U.S Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Professional Responsibility contributed to the investigation and Passapera's subsequent arrest. In a statement, the agency said it "does not tolerate corruption or abuse within our ranks."

"It is important to note that CBP stresses honor and integrity in every aspect of our mission, and the overwhelming majority of CBP employees and officers perform their duties with honor and distinction, working tirelessly every day to keep our country safe," the office said in a statement.