A specialized unit of the Arizona Department of Public Safety that targets drug and human smuggling has been in place for almost three months.
Over the next few months, lawmakers will decide whether to invest $30 million more in the program as requested by Gov. Doug Ducey.
Arizona Week Friday analyzes the early results and future for the Border Strike Force. The plan requires collaboration among many law enforcement agencies and a monetary investment to be successful, said Col. Frank Milstead, director of the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
“You can look at Arizona as the front door for narcotics coming through the ports of entry,” Milstead said.
For now, he said, the department has reallocated resources to conduct stings that have yielded hundreds of pounds of drugs.
One aspect of the fully funded plan would pay for part of sheriff’s deputy’s salaries, equipment and other expenses.
“This program for the sheriffs is all carrot and no stick,” Milstead said.
Some longtime sheriffs, however, said they were cut out of the planning process for the border enforcement plan.
“They can complement what we have by working with us, but I don’t need them coming here to rescue me, by no uncertain terms,” said Yuma Sheriff Leon Wilmot.
On the program
- Col. Frank Milstead, director of the Arizona Department of Public Safety
- Yuma County Sheriff Leon Wilmot
- Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos
- Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu
- The Buzz: Lorraine Rivera and AZPM Reporter Nancy Montoya break down the latest border security news
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