An executive order signed by Gov. Katie Hobbs will put together drug interdiction operations with local law enforcement in Arizona’s four border counties.
Hobbs’ office says Operation Desert Guardian will use $28 million in state border funding and partner with local and federal law enforcement to identify, deter and dismantle transnational criminal organizations within Pima, Cochise, Yuma and Santa Cruz counties.
“I’m proud to launch Operation Desert Guardian to combat the cartels, stop drug smuggling and human trafficking, and secure Arizona’s border,” Hobbs said in a statement about the order. “My administration has been in contact with the federal government and local sheriffs about the Operation, its critical objectives, and our shared commitment to keeping criminals and drugs out of Arizona’s communities.”
But Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels says he hasn’t heard anything yet.
“If there’s going to be a true partnership task force, you would engage your partners to the point of ‘what’s the operation, what are we doing on this? What’s this really mean? What’s the impact? What do I need to have, what are my needs going to be based on what they’re asking and what they’re doing?’” he said.
Dannels says he’s happy to support the operation but needs more information on incarceration, court and personnel costs to his county.
Hobbs said the operation would build upon her office’s Task Force SAFE — an initiative that began last summer and deployed 40 National Guard troops to Arizona’s ports of entry to combat drug and gun trafficking. Around 170 guardsmen are part of the task force’s state-wide parent program, Operation Secure.
Hobbs’ office did not respond to questions about how the new operation would work alongside that effort or how local law enforcement would be involved.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been updated to correct a reference to Operation Desert Guardian.
