With a new Executive Order, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has moved to strengthen border security for the Grand Canyon State and build on the drug interdiction successes of Task Force SAFE by launching Operation Desert Guardian, a joint task force comprised of personnel from the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs, the Arizona Department of Public Safety, and the Arizona Department of Homeland Security.
According to a Gubernatorial Press Release, this task force will “expand border security operations in Arizona’s four border counties and seek to partner with local law enforcement, sheriffs, and the federal government to disrupt Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) operations within Yuma, Pima, Santa Cruz, and Cochise counties.”
The task force objectives will be:
- Identifying and mitigating security vulnerabilities along our 370-mile southern border.
- Combating border-related crimes perpetrated by TCOs by dismantling their supply chains and operating networks.
Commenting on this move to safeguard the border, Governor Hobbs stated in her press release:
“I’m proud to launch Operation Desert Guardian to combat the cartels, stop drug smuggling and human trafficking, and secure Arizona’s border. 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. I have worked productively with the federal government on Task Force SAFE and partnered with local law enforcement to deliver critical border security support, and I look forward to continued partnership on our shared border security priorities. With Operation Desert Guardian, I’m confident we can take an important next step in our ongoing work to secure the border.”
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued a statement praising the Governors move, conveying:
“I welcome the additional support announced by Governor Hobbs that will bolster my office’s ongoing efforts to disrupt and dismantle transnational criminal organizations. Fighting the drug cartels requires an all-hands-on-deck approach — and we will continue working with our partners to take down these dangerous networks and protect Arizonans.”
Democratic House Leader Oscar De Los Santos also voiced his support, relaying:
“I applaud Gov. Hobbs for leading the fight to take fentanyl off our streets and take on the cartels head-on. Republican extremists are focused on tearing families apart and promoting racial profiling. Thankfully, Governor Hobbs is the adult in the room who is taking real action to make Arizona safer.”
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I appreciate your reporting. I called Raul Grijalva’s office on several topics and learned he did NOT vote on the Very Close Budget Tuesday night. We NEED a representative. If he is ill, he should resign. Is this being discussed? Would Governor Hobbs appoint a temporary Rep until the 2026 election? No one is talking about this. The district in NOT being represented at this critical time.