Border Patrol agent had underground room to hide illegal immigrants and drugs, prosecutors allege
Authorities searching the home of a U.S. Border Patrol agent earlier this week found an underground room that they believe was built to hide drugs and illegal immigrants, a federal prosecutor said Wednesday at a court hearing in San Diego.
The agent, Marcos Gerardo Manzano Jr., 26, was arrested earlier this week and charged with harboring illegal immigrants at his home, among them his father, a twice-deported illegal immigrant with a criminal record.
The discovery of the secret room, along with the large law enforcement presence during the search -– an FBI SWAT team led the raiding party -- suggest that the investigation is more expansive and that the four-year veteran of the agency could face additional charges.
Authorities found the hidden room beneath a concrete slab in the backyard patio, said Assistant U.S. Atty. Tara McGrath. A search of the room turned up an illegal immigrant hiding under a table, McGrath said. Agents also found 61 grams of methamphetamine, along with drug paraphernalia and narcotics packaging materials in the home, she added.
Manzano Jr., who was arrested Monday night at the Imperial Beach Border Patrol station, travels regularly to Mexico to visit his girlfriend and family members, said McGrath, who urged the judge to bar any foreign travel if he posts bond, which was set at $75,000.
The agent’s father, Marcos Gerardo Manzano Sr., 46, had allegedly lived at his son’s home in the border community of San Ysidro since September 2009. He had been deported in 2008 after being convicted of possession of marijuana for sale. Manzano Jr. is also charged with lying to a federal investigator for allegedly stating that he didn’t know of his father’s whereabouts.
Manzano Sr. was not found at the home and remains at large.
RELATED:
Border Patrol agent arrested for harboring twice-deported illegal immigrant -- his father
-- Richard Marosi in San Diego
EDITOR'S PICKS:
WHAT! NO COMMENTS ON THIS STORY????
Posted by: V | January 12, 2011 at 04:11 PM
OMG! I cant beleive this guy really did this? I cant beleive he supports illegal drug being smudered into his own Country, tisk....tisk......shame on you, migra.....shame on u, I wonder how long he's been doing it for? I guess his proffession doesnt pay him enough, SOONER OR LATER THE TRUTH COMES OUT
Posted by: V | January 12, 2011 at 04:13 PM
How was this guy hired in the first place?
Posted by: guest | January 12, 2011 at 04:17 PM
As if we weren't saddled with a big enough immigration problem, we now have people who we have trusted to protect our borders becoming part of the problem. Make an example of this guy... max him out on whatever sentence is available for this crime. This sucks.
Posted by: DVS | January 12, 2011 at 04:18 PM
Obviously this guy had no intention of being an American patriot or protecting the US Constitution. No agent should be allowed to live within 200 miles of any border he is sworn to protect. All gov't employees should be monitored and constantly evaluated for job performance much like the military. Greed, graft, fraud, and corruption is totally out-of-control and, evidently, no one is immune.
Posted by: mansterEZ1 | January 12, 2011 at 04:50 PM
This a horrible issue especially on a person who works for the border patrol. Someone who works anything relating to the government is representing their own country. A border patrol agent should be clean of any crimes. Anybody who has issues relating to this like drugs and illegal immigration, they should not work for the government. Then they will be in serious problems with the police. To employ somebody in the border patrol, they should have a background check on the person and see everything who the border patrol are employing.
Posted by: Jessica Rubio | January 12, 2011 at 04:59 PM
Awful. I'm so tired of Mexican corruption and those people who turn a blind eye to it.
Posted by: Jon K. | January 12, 2011 at 05:02 PM
Somewhere there is a Border Patrol background investigator being interviewed by his supervisor, and his thoroughness questioned.
Posted by: Vet1 | January 12, 2011 at 05:04 PM
Wake up people. Of course we have corruption within our officials and a lot higher up than this guy. Why do you think we can't stop the flow of illegals and drugs?
Posted by: Matt | January 12, 2011 at 05:25 PM
Really? They hired this person without a background check? He should be held on charges of sedition and endangering the security of our country. Lock him up for a long time.
Posted by: Mcgibby | January 12, 2011 at 05:28 PM
Well, well another crooked cop.
Makes you wonder exactly are the criteria the interviewers use to hire these scumbags.
Posted by: Jim | January 12, 2011 at 05:28 PM
Wow! Is this how this buddy loves his country. By disobeying what he is paid to do. Protect HIS country. Money sounded better, right and you had to be hispanic??
Posted by: Carmen | January 12, 2011 at 05:52 PM
We have a 12% unemployment rate in California and scums like this have jobs? Unbelievable!
Posted by: Jerry | January 12, 2011 at 05:55 PM
@DVS Agree with you set an example of this guy!!
Posted by: Richard | January 12, 2011 at 05:57 PM
OFF WITH HIS HEAD!!!
Posted by: An American | January 12, 2011 at 06:02 PM
If it was him simply protecting his own father that's one thing but him being an inside man for a drug op and smuggling drugs and trafficking illegal aliens is another.
Posted by: actual tax paying American | January 12, 2011 at 06:09 PM
How the he!! was this guy hired by the Border Patrol?
Don't these guys do back round checks?
When crap like this happens it really makes our government look stupid.
This really make us feel secure.
Posted by: Roger | January 12, 2011 at 06:15 PM
naturalize citizens have no loyalty to this country ...they only come here for the handouts and destroy the quality of life
Posted by: RL | January 12, 2011 at 06:18 PM
Why would they hire someone with criminal, and illegal family members, much less parents?!?
Posted by: Donal | January 12, 2011 at 06:23 PM
so can this tell those dumbarse in washington that this guy could be ,,or have allowed drug cartel enter the us for money? this is something to think about. i think the federal gov should take a look at all latino officer in border patrol. and check thier life style. this punk raised his hand to the oath of office. and allow & support illegal mexicans to come and live at his home. he should be given the max sentence then he be deported as well...after all his parent is illegal.
Posted by: tryed it all | January 12, 2011 at 06:23 PM
Honestly, you let one in and this is how they repay you.
Posted by: Daniel | January 12, 2011 at 06:25 PM
to v.. there is alot posted on this story...but yahoo only post what they want you to see . i have learn that if you are against illegal immigration...yahoo is against you.
Posted by: typical taxpayer | January 12, 2011 at 06:29 PM
Are you kidding me? You idiots hired a guy who's name is Marcos Gerardo Manzano Jr. to protect our MEXICAN border. I don't preach racism but that's just plain stupid. Let's be real people...
Posted by: kush | January 12, 2011 at 06:30 PM
The agent, Marcos Gerardo Manzano Jr., 26, was arrested earlier this week and charged with harboring illegal immigrants at his home, among them his father, a twice-deported illegal immigrant with a criminal record.
Who hired Mr. Manzano son of an illegal immigrant with a criminal record?
Posted by: Manzano | January 12, 2011 at 06:32 PM
Makes one even more appreciative of being stopped and questioned of citizenship on an American highway or roadway by someone who probably isn't a legal citizen themself. Homeland Security is a haven for illegalsand people protecting illegals.
Posted by: Walt Tjepkes | January 12, 2011 at 06:35 PM