Overview
- Governor Katie Hobbs signed an executive order creating Operation Desert Guardian to strengthen border security in Arizona's four border counties: Yuma, Pima, Santa Cruz, and Cochise.
- The initiative involves collaboration between state agencies, local law enforcement, and federal authorities, including Customs and Border Protection, to dismantle transnational criminal organizations.
- The task force will focus on addressing drug smuggling and human trafficking, with funding sourced from Arizona's $28 million Border Security Fund.
- Arizona ranks second nationally for fentanyl trafficking offenses, with significant amounts of fentanyl and methamphetamine seized at the border in recent months.
- Hobbs' decision to work with the Trump administration on border security highlights bipartisan cooperation in addressing Arizona's critical border crime challenges.