Near the Arizona-Mexico border, just inside Mexican territory, a joint operation between U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Tucson Sector and Mexican authorities located and raided a cartel safe-house which stored military-grade machine-guns, ammunition, heavy ordinance, stolen vehicles, and drugs.
In a release to social media on Monday, U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael W. Banks described the May 23rd raid in cooperation with Mexican federal officers. Banks wrote in a post, sharing images of the seized weapons and drugs, “USBP agents in Tucson shared intel with the Government of Mexico (GoM) that led to a successful raid south of the border.” He added that the Mexican authorities seized “4 AK-47s, 3 mortar grenades, 3 stolen vehicles, 3,250 rounds of ammo, 62 magazines, 27 tactical vests, [and] 16 sacks of marijuana.”
Banks assessed the raid saying, “This joint effort dealt a serious blow to cartel operations—removing weapons, resources, and mobility from criminal hands.”
CARTEL SAFE HOUSE TAKEN DOWN!
5/23-USBP agents in Tucson shared intel with the Government of Mexico that led to a successful raid south of the border. GoM seized:
Chief Patrol Agent (CPA) of the U.S. Border Patrol Tucson Sector Sean McGoffin commented on the raid as well, crediting the CBP’s Casa Grande International Liaison Unit for contributing to the raid in a statement posted to X. He wrote, “Government of Mexico officials acting on information from the Casa Grande Border Patrol station found and dismantled a cartel ‘Rip Crew’ in Mexico during a mirrored or parallel patrol just south of the border.
“Four rifles, tactical gear, a dodge truck, and ammunition were seized from two criminal operatives. These cartel bandit factions are known to victimize migrants near the border region.
“Historically, the exploitation of migrants by cartels is multi-faceted, by stealing from people that aim to illegally cross into the U.S, or by targeting other competing cartels and their human ‘Cargo’. Great job Casa Grande International Liaison Unit for getting info to our partners in Mexico.”
5/28: Government of Mexico officials acting on information from the Casa Grande Border Patrol station found and dismantled a cartel “Rip Crew” in Mexico during a mirrored or parallel patrol just south of the border.
In a subsequent post to X, McGoffin again praised an International Liaison Unit (ILU), this time from the Sonoita Border Patrol Station, for “forging new alliances to combat organized crime in the #border region.” He explained that two agents from the unit “have fostered relationships with Government of Mexico officials from the Municipality of Santa Cruz, Sonora, Mexico, to increase law enforcement presence south of the border.”
Forging new alliances to combat organized crime in the #border region. In the last two months agents from the Sonoita Border Patrol Station and the International Liaison Unit (ILU) have fostered relationships with Government of Mexico officials from the Municipality of Santa… pic.twitter.com/bNOGeAlwVj
The chief said, “The area south of #Sonoita, Arizona has been exploited by criminal organizations in the past due to its remoteness from other Mexican towns. The newly appointed Mexican officials of the area have pledged to increase patrols and collaboration with Border Patrol to ensure safety and security for the ranching communities on both sides of the border.”
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents hunted down and successfully apprehended three suspected Mexican drug cartel scouts and one foot guide in southern Arizona after a harrowing chase across the lands of the Tohono O’odham Nation. Authorities have associated the suspects with the Cártel de Sinaloa, a foreign terrorist organization, .
CBP revealed that the first in the series of arrests took place Monday near the town of Maricopa, Arizona. That’s when agents attached to the Casa Grande Border Patrol Station encountered and apprehended an illegal immigrant from Mexico who confessed to crossing into the country illegally. A search of the man revealed equipment for communication and observation, commonly used by cartel scouts, in his possession.
The next day, CBP agents northwest of Marana in the Silverbell Mountains spotted and arrested an illegal immigrant from Mexico and another from Guatemala following up on reports of suspicious activity in the remote high elevation area frequented by drug and human traffickers. A search of the men also yielded communication and surveillance devices equipped with solar panels and batteries.
Near Pisinemo Village, on the Tohono O’odham Nation later on Tuesday, CBP agents arrested two Mexican nationals, with one of them confessing to be a foot guide for Los Memos, a group associated with Cártel de Sinaloa.
According to CBP, “All subjects were transported to the Casa Grande Border Patrol Station for further processing. In addition to being charged with illegal entry into the country, three of the five men will face criminal charges for human smuggling and conspiracy due to their involvement in smuggling activities.”
In a post to X, Cheif Patrol Agent Sean McGoffin shared footage of Casa Grande motorcycle units and a Blackhawk helicopter working together to execute the arrest. He wrote, “AZ DPS reported 5 subjects crossing SR86 on the Tohono O’odham Nation. Casa Grande motorcycle units and a Blackhawk made quick work of the sighting, arresting 5 Mexican illegal aliens. 3 are being prosecuted for Re-Entry After Removal and 2 were Expeditiously Removed.”
AZ DPS reported 5 subjects crossing SR86 on the Tohono O’odham Nation. Casa Grande motorcycle units and a Blackhawk made quick work of the sighting, arresting 5 Mexican illegal aliens. 3 are being prosecuted for Re-Entry After Removal and 2 were Expeditiously Removed. pic.twitter.com/hBuBfMEEtp
A bill to support the efforts of law enforcement on the streets of Arizona is progressing through the state legislature.
Last week, HB 2733 was approved by the Arizona House of Representatives Public Safety & Law Enforcement Committee. The bill, which was sponsored by State Representative David Marshall, “protects law enforcement officers from civil liability when taking down unmanned aircraft suspected of being used for criminal activities within 15 miles of the international border.”
In a statement released in conjunction with the bill’s progress, Representative Marshall said, “Arizona’s law enforcement officers are on the front lines of the fight against cartels and traffickers exploiting our border, and they need the ability to act decisively against criminal drone activity. These drones aren’t toys – they’re tools of organized crime, used to scout for weak points in our security and to smuggle fentanyl and other deadly drugs into our communities. HB 2733 makes sure that our officers can neutralize these threats without the fear of frivolous lawsuits.”
Marshall added, “This bill is a no-brainer. Law enforcement shouldn’t have to second-guess their ability to stop cartel drones from carrying drugs across the border. Our Majority is standing firm on securing Arizona, backing law enforcement, and taking action to keep dangerous criminals out of our communities.”
According to the press release issued by the Arizona House Republicans on the bill, “The rise in cartel drone activity has put additional pressure on Arizona’s law enforcement agencies, forcing officers to make quick decisions in real-time to prevent smuggling operations.” The proposal would give these law enforcement officials “the legal certainty they need to act without hesitation, protecting Arizona’s communities from the devastating consequences of cartel operations.”
The bill was passed by the House committee with a bipartisan vote of 10-0, though three members were absent and two voted ‘Present.’
On the Arizona Legislature’s Request to Speak system, representatives from the Arizona Attorney General’s Office and the Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police signed in to support the bill, while a representative of the American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona indicated the organization’s opposition to the legislation. A representative from the Arizona Trial Lawyers Association signed in as neutral.
HB 2733 will now be considered by the full state House of Representatives in the near future.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Border security was again a hot topic on the first day of the Arizona Legislative session for 2025.
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs gave her State of the State address on Monday and discussed the issue of border security during her speech. Hobbs said, “A truly thriving economy means security for our families and neighbors. That’s why safe communities are a core pillar of the Arizona Promise and why I’ve made border security a top priority… We must remain vigilant in protecting Arizonans from the cartels who seek to do us harm. The fentanyl crisis is one of the greatest threats to public safety in our state’s history and requires a collaborative approach across state, local, and federal governments. When we work together, we protect Arizona families. I will continue working with this legislature to protect our border because until all Arizonans feel secure in their communities, we will not be able to deliver on our Promise of freedom and opportunity.”
Republicans were not amused by the governor’s comments, highlighting the many times she has opposed efforts to secure the border and protect Arizona communities from the harms and dangers wrought by illegal immigration. Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen said, “When the Governor promised to prioritize border security last year, her actions did not match her words. She vetoed our border bills. But, the voters spoke loud and clear last November. They want their government to enforce the law and secure our open border. We will support President Trump and our law enforcement in their efforts to protect Arizonans from the crime pouring into our communities and jeopardizing our national security.”
Senate President Pro Tempore T.J. Shope added, “If the Governor or any other elected leaders choose to stand in the way…get ready for court. The Republican-led Arizona Legislature vows to uphold the rule of law, and we will exhaust all legal options to ensure the chaos we’ve lived for the past four years comes to an end.”
Late last year, Hobbs released an ambiguous post on her official X account, indirectly taking aim at the Trump administration’s forthcoming actions on the border after his momentous victory over Vice President Kamala Harris in the historic November General Election. She said, “Securing our border is not a red issue or a blue issue. It’s an Arizona issue and an American issue. I’ll work with anyone to secure our border while standing up to misguided policies that attack Arizonans.”
Thus far in her administration, Hobbs has resisted most attempts by Republicans to maximize Arizona’s resources and laws to better protect communities against the harms from illegal immigration. That resistance led to state legislative Republicans sending a border security ballot measure to voters this past November – Proposition 314, which gave local law enforcement more tools to combat illegal immigration across the state. Arizona Republicans are expected to continue to search for ways to assist the Trump Administration to stop the flow of illegal immigration into and through their state over the next two years.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Border Patrol agents are facing increasing dangers as a result of empowered cartels and smugglers.
Last week, the Vice President of the National Border Patrol Council, Art Del Cueto, posted a picture of online messages that contained threats and concerning solicitations about personal information for agents and members of their families.
Del Cueto said, “Unbelievable! #heroesingreen have to get this information through media because the administration and agency doesn’t put anything out to the #bootsontheground…”
The longtime border official added a number of hashtags to stress his point, including “#wherestheintel,” “#nocommunication,” “#theyreallydontcare,” “#excusescoming,” “#stayvigilant,” “#staystrapped.”
The messages shared by Del Cueto include the following:
“We will pay for any addresses of border patrol agents!!”
“$200 your way if you get me a border patrol agent’s address”
“$1k if you get me they mommas address”
“We offer $$$ for information on BP agents”
“Top dollar on good info”
“I’ll post us torturing any bp agent u send”
Ali Bradley, a National Correspondent for NewsNation, shared additional insight from conversations with Border Patrol agents, stating that “the agency says the messages also show the intent to post the torture of BPAs on social media.”
NEW: “We will pay for any addresses of border patrol agents!!”@CBP sends out internal alert to agents after intercepting messages seeking the home addresses of agents and their families with an intent to do harm— The text message obtained by CBP states, “$200 your way if you… pic.twitter.com/98PA8pYdWv
She added, “Agents I talk to are extremely concerned for their safety. While assaults on agents are down from last year, assaults involving firearms are up slightly.”
Last month, a Border Patrol agent in Texas was assaulted by a suspected smuggler, according to reports. Per pictures provided to the media at the time, the agent appeared to have blood on his face and uniform. In its account of the incident, Fox News wrote, “Migrants and smugglers are increasingly assaulting and confronting U.S. border personnel as the dangerous escalations of violence increase along the border.”
In addition to the increasing dangers and threats against them, Border Patrol agents are finding themselves completely overwhelmed due to the onslaught of migrants and drugs pouring across the U.S.-Mexico boundary lines, which has been caused by the policies of the Biden administration. Over the course of the three-year Biden-Harris administration, apprehensions of illegal aliens and drugs have continued to rise to historic levels, with no end seemingly in sight. This issue has led to growing fears of potential terror in the homeland – especially after the Hamas attack in Israel a couple weeks ago and the escalating number of terrorist suspects who have been encountered at the border (in addition to the sheer number of ‘gotaways’ escaping detection from law enforcement).
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
