Former CBP Officer Sentenced for Migrant Smuggling, Bribery

Two former U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers have been sentenced for their involvement in human smuggling and bribery schemes. Emanuel Isac Celedon, 37, received nearly 117 months in prison for bringing undocumented migrants into the U.S. and accepting bribes from the Cartel del Noreste, while Omar Moreno, 46, was sentenced to 51 months in prison for smuggling migrants at the Ysleta Port of Entry, receiving $4,000 per migrant. Celedon was found to have allowed multiple individuals entry without inspection and misled CBP databases to facilitate smuggling. Moreno’s activities were captured on video, showing him escorting illegal aliens into the U.S. and participating in a sting operation where he was arrested after receiving $8,000 for his services. Both cases highlight significant breaches of trust within the CBP and ongoing challenges related to border security. U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei emphasized the contrast between the actions of these officers and the dedicated work of CBP agents.