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Border Patrol Agent Accused Of Drug Trafficking In Arizona

A U.S. Border Patrol agent based in southern Arizona has been arrested and charged with drug trafficking.

Agent Victor Carlos Passapera Pinott appeared before a federal judge in Tucson on Monday.

He is accused of driving to an area west of the Lukeville border early Sunday morning then to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport where he loaded two duffel bags. Investigators searched the bags and found more than 40 pounds of cocaine, heroin and fentanyl as well as 350,000 pills of which some contained fentanyl. 

Investigators found more than $300,000 in cash at his house and another $40,000 in the car he drove to the airport.

Passapera was charged with conspiracy and a felony drug trafficking charge. He faces a minimum 10 years in prison and up to $10 million in fines.

He’s assigned to the Tucson Sector Border Patrol office.

Officials there did not respond to email questions about his status or how long he’s worked as an agent.

Fronteras Desk senior editor Michel Marizco is an award-winning investigative reporter based in Flagstaff.