IN TROUBLE:
America’s CBP Officer, EMANUEL CELEDON Arrested for Bribery, Cocaine Importation
*Charges allege that suspect accepted U.S. currency in exchange for allowing an individual to transport a substance believed to be several kilograms of cocaine into the United States from Mexico through the Laredo Port of Entry without inspection
*Faces up to 15 years in prison, a possible $250,000 maximum fine for the bribery allegations, attempted importation of cocaine charges carries a mandatory maximum 40 years in prison and up to a $5 million fine
*BY BUKOLA ARAMIDE/CUSTOM & BORDER CONTROL Reporter, USA & GEORGE ELIJAH OTUMU/AMERICA Senior Investigative Editor
HE WAS A CUSTOM AND BORDER CONTROL PROTECTION, CBP OFFICER. 35-YEAR-OLD Emanuel Celedon is in hot soup. He was caught receiving bribes in dollars to allow illegal immigrants into the United States and attempted to import cocaine, while working at the Port of Entry in Laredo.
Celedon has been arrested, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
And he is set to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christopher dos Santos at 9:40 a.m.
The indictment, returned Nov. 28, charges him with two counts of bribery and witnesses and two counts of attempted importation of cocaine.
The charges allege that from Oct. 1-17, Celedon accepted U.S. currency in exchange for allowing an individual to transport a substance he believed to be several kilograms of cocaine into the United States from Mexico through the Laredo Port of Entry without inspection. Celedon allegedly accepted another bribe for the same conduct from on or about Oct. 23-30.
If convicted, Celedon faces up to 15 years in prison as well as a possible $250,000 maximum fine for the bribery allegations, while the attempted importation of cocaine charges carries a mandatory minimum of five and up to 40 years in prison and up to a $5 million fine.
Department of Homeland Security – Office of Inspector General in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Administration and CBP – Office of Professional Responsibility conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Richard W. Bennett and Jennifer Day are prosecuting the case.
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