Overview

• Ronald Douglas Johnson visited the Nogales sector with Sonora security chief Braulio Martínez Navarrete, meeting personnel from the Policía Estatal’s División de Operaciones Fronterizas.
• In a public post, the ambassador called the Sonora border unit the first of its kind in Mexico and said it reflects deep cooperation to strengthen the shared border.
• State authorities say the unit operates in Nogales, San Luis Río Colorado, Agua Prieta and General Plutarco Elías Calles, concentrating resources along the 588-kilometer corridor.
• Patrols use technology-enabled aerial surveillance to reach difficult terrain, identify halconeo lookout points and dismantle improvised structures tied to criminal groups.
• Officials report early results that include an 838 kg methamphetamine seizure at the Cucapah checkpoint on August 13 and a September 5 operation in San Luis Río Colorado yielding 250 kg of meth and 5 kg of fentanyl, with the effort also framed as supporting lawful trade and community safety.