Border Issues in Pinal County, Arizona

Detective Shawn Wilson of the Pinal County Anti-Smuggling Unit mentioned that while working close to the Mexico border, he observed a surge in human smuggling activities, with minimal drug-related incidents. The strategy of the smugglers has shifted towards human smuggling, driven by financial incentives and lighter penalties for human smuggling compared to drug trafficking. Deputy Sheriff Mark Terry, also from the Pinal County Anti-Smuggling Unit, explained how the cartels contract drivers through social media to transport illegal aliens, offering a significant amount of money per person. When stopping vehicles suspected of human smuggling, they encounter illegal aliens from various countries. However, local law enforcement does not have the authority to detain illegal aliens, and due to the overwhelming number of illegal border crossings, Border Patrol agents have been reassigned from patrolling the field to processing illegal aliens at the border. Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb highlighted the influence of politics on the activities of the cartels, emphasizing the need for the federal government to take action in securing the southern border and prioritizing the safety of American citizens.