Numerous cases of cartel-related corruption involving sheriffs and other law enforcement officials have been documented in the U.S. and Mexico. Recent examples from late 2024 and 2025 highlight ongoing efforts by cartels to infiltrate local law enforcement for a fee

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Notable U.S. Cases

Federal authorities, including the FBI, DEA, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), actively investigate and prosecute law enforcement corruption. 

• Mississippi Delta (2025): Two current sheriffs—Humphreys County Sheriff Bruce Williams and Washington County Sheriff Milton Gaston—were among 14 current and former law enforcement officers indicted in October 2025 as part of a major federal probe. An undercover FBI agent posed as a cartel member, paying more than $200,000 in bribes to officers in exchange for providing protection during cocaine and money transport runs along Highway 61 in the Mississippi Delta region.
• South Texas (2014): Former Hidalgo County Sheriff Guadalupe “Lupe” Trevino was sentenced to five years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit money laundering of drug smuggling proceeds. This case underscored South Texas as a “high-temptation environment” for corruption due to its proximity to the border and cartel activity.
• New Mexico (2011): The mayor and police chief of Columbus, New Mexico, were found to be involved in a gun-smuggling operation that supplied weapons, including AK-47s, to Mexican cartels. 

Tactics and Scope

Cartels exploit corruption to facilitate their operations, primarily through bribery. 

• Bribery: This is the most common form of corruption, where officers are paid to ignore drug activity, provide “police escorts” for shipments, or share information about law enforcement operations.
• Infiltration: Cartels attempt to infiltrate U.S. law enforcement agencies, especially along the border, where the FBI has a particular focus on anti-corruption efforts.
• Intimidation: In Mexico, and occasionally in the U.S., officials and officers who resist or speak out against cartels face severe consequences, including violence and murder. 

Reporting Corruption

Law enforcement agencies encourage the reporting of public corruption. If you have information regarding the corruption of public officials, you can submit a tip to the FBI or the DEA online.

Numerous cases have demonstrated that 

sheriffs and other U.S. law enforcement officials have been corrupted by drug cartels to facilitate drug trafficking and money laundering operations. These schemes have been uncovered in various regions, particularly along the Southwest border and in other major drug corridors like the Mississippi Delta. 

Notable Cases of Cartel-Related Corruption

• Mississippi Delta Sting (2025): In a major multi-agency federal probe, 20 people—including two sitting sheriffs (Humphreys County Sheriff Bruce Williams and Washington County Sheriff Milton Gaston) and 12 other law enforcement officers—were indicted in Mississippi and Tennessee. An undercover FBI agent posed as a cartel member, paying bribes of over $200,000 for officers to provide armed police escorts for cocaine shipments.
• South Texas Sheriffs: Several former South Texas sheriffs have been sentenced for cartel-related corruption.
  • Hidalgo County: Former Sheriff Guadalupe Trevino was sentenced to five years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit money laundering of drug smuggling proceeds.
  • Other South Texas Counties: Former Sheriffs Conrado Cantu and Reymundo Guerra were jailed for assisting Mexican smugglers. These areas are considered “high-temptation environments” due to the significant drug flow across the border.
• Columbus, New Mexico Officials: The former mayor, police chief, and a village trustee were convicted of conspiring to smuggle weapons, including AK-47s, to Mexican cartels. The police chief even used a department vehicle and his credentials to buy body armor for the cartel.
• Los Angeles Deputy Gangs: Allegations persist regarding “deputy gangs” within the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department who face accusations of using excessive force and intimidating those who speak out, with some concerns about potential links to organized crime activities.
• Border Patrol Agents: Over a hundred U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Border Patrol agents have been convicted of drug trafficking and migrant smuggling, often in exchange for bribes from cartels. 

Scope of the Problem

Federal authorities, including the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), have highlighted public corruption as a significant threat, particularly along the Southwest border. Investigations have shown that cartels intentionally target U.S. law enforcement, utilizing bribes to protect their operations and infiltrate local agencies. 

Efforts to combat this involve enhanced vetting processes, such as mandatory polygraph tests for border enforcement applicants, and dedicated anti-corruption task forces to “police the police”.