McALLEN, Texas ‐ A former Border Patrol (BP) agent has been convicted of making a false statement regarding a narcotics seizure, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez. Eduardo Bazan, 49, Edinburg, Texas, pleaded guilty today.
As part of an ongoing investigation, law enforcement learned that a 66-kilogram load of cocaine that Border Patrol seized in 2007, may have been staged with sham, or diluted, narcotics to allow drug traffickers to steal the original narcotics from unwitting sources of supply.
On Oct. 31, 2016, Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) interviewed Bazan who had been a Border Patrol agent assigned to the McAllen Border Station. He falsely stated that in February 2007, he had unsuccessfully attempted to apprehend individuals running from a vehicle. Upon returning to that vehicle, he saw other agents recovering the bundles of cocaine.
On Nov. 1, 2016, Bazan admitted he had lied to agents and that the load vehicle had been abandoned. Bazan ran from the scene to make other agents believe the vehicle had been occupied. Bazan further admitted to receiving $8,000 for assisting the drug traffickers with the staged seizure.
U.S. District Judge Randy Crane accepted the plea and has set sentencing for Sept. 12, 2017. At that time, he faces up to five years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. He was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.
HSI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Rees is prosecuting the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
