Today, Secretary Kristi Noem commented on the indictment of a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer accused of involvement in human smuggling and drug trafficking.

In her statement, Secretary Noem expressed strong condemnation: “To traffic drugs and smuggle humans while wearing the badge is not only a disgusting betrayal of our patriotic Customs and Border Protection officers, but of our nation and the American people. Manuel Perez will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

The officer was taken into custody by federal agents at the Paso del Norte Port of Entry on February 8.