AZMEX UPDATE 26 JAN 2015
Note: "The helicopters and X-ray machines are from Tucson and Nogales, some of the busiest spots in the nation for the smuggling of drugs and immigrants." Anywhere BUT the border? There is no doubt the we have a corrupt federal government, but this is really bad.
A lowly citizen might think the NFL could afford it's own or rent security.
Border Protection lends a hand for Super Bowl security
A U.S. Customs and Border Protection Black Hawk helicopter flies above University of Phoenix Stadium, site of the NFL Super Bowl XLIX football game, for a security demonstration for the media Monday, Jan. 26, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. The Black Hawk helicopters and truck-sized X-ray machines have been brought to the Super Bowl venue to assist with the security effort. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
by Astrid Galvan / Associated Press
azfamily.com
Posted on January 26, 2015 at 4:55 PM
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- Black Hawk helicopters and truck-sized X-ray machines that are typically deployed along the U.S.-Mexico border have been brought to the Super Bowl venue to assist with the security effort.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection showed off the technology Monday as it helps with Super Bowl security.
Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske was on hand for a demonstration of the agency's Black Hawks and large mobile X-ray machines that are used to detect contraband and explosives. The helicopters and X-ray machines are from Tucson and Nogales, some of the busiest spots in the nation for the smuggling of drugs and immigrants.
Kerlikowske said Arizona's border with Mexico still has adequate security while some equipment is used in Glendale for the Super Bowl.
He said it's not just the technology that will help keep the big game safe, but the expertise behind it.
"The real key about this equipment is the people who operate them," Kerlikowske said.
The CBP is also deploying about 100 officers who will assist other federal and local law enforcement agencies.
The X-ray machines are mobile and the size of a large truck.
They slowly pan outside a semi-truck while operators inside the X-ray machine look for anomalies. The X-ray machines are in heavy use at the Mariposa Port of Entry in Nogales, one of the busiest ports of entry for commerce in the country.
Within a few minutes, the X-ray machines will have scanned an entire semi-trailer, looking for contraband and explosives.
The CBP also will use its Tucson-based helicopters and Black Hawks to monitor the air during the game, when other aircrafts are not allowed to fly nearby. The Black Hawks are used by the CBP and the Border Patrol for a variety of missions, including for rescuing border crossers who become sick or injured. They've also recently been commonly used to arrest so-called scouts, or men who act as lookouts in the desert for drug and human smuggling organizations.
Read more: http://www.azfamily.com/news/Border-Protection-lends-a-hand-for-Super-Bowl-security-289854831.html#ixzz3Pyd8ukrx
Note: From combating drug and human smuggling to preventing terrorism? Interesting change in wording.
Nogales Police, other departments benefit from anti-terrorism money
Posted: Jan 21, 2015 6:08 PM MST
Updated: Jan 22, 2015 4:22 PM MST
By Barbara Grijalva
http://www.tucsonnewsnow.com/story/27908587/nogales-police-other-departments-benefit-from-anti-terrorism-money
NOGALES, AZ (Tucson News Now) -
Nogales Police are getting about $1 million from the federal government to help prevent terrorism this fiscal year. Other Arizona cities and counties are also receiving millions of dollars in Department of Homeland Security money right now. Operation Stonegarden gave the city of Tucson $4.8 million from 2007 through 2013.
Tucson Police, Marana Police, Pima County Sheriff's deputies and a lot of departments get Operation Stonegarden grants intended to fight terrorism.
Over the years, Operation Stonegarden has provided Nogales Police with vehicles, communications equipment, infrared sensors and other tools. But the main thing it provides is money to pay for overtime. In the areas around Nogales that appeal to drug and human smugglers, the overtime benefits both Nogales residents and Border Patrol.
"They let us know that a certain area is - they're encountering certain things there. And our operations are geared to support their mission in those areas. But once again, like I mentioned, you know, if something does occur outside of that area our officers are always ready and able to assist other officers with whatever incident they're dealing with," said Lt. Carlos Jimenez with the Nogales Police Department.
One issue cities and counties have encountered is how Operation Stonegarden funds can mean bigger pensions for local officers. One way Nogales and other jurisdictions have found to diminish that problem is to limit how much Operation Stonegarden overtime officers are allowed to work.
Lt. Jimenez said this year the Nogales Police Department is buying something like a GPS system for its vehicles to dispatch them more efficiently.
END
Drug trafficking resumes; officers arrest key scouts
Posted: Saturday, January 24, 2015 10:24 am
Staff Reports
http://www.trivalleycentral.com/casa_grande_dispatch/area_news/drug-trafficking-resumes-officers-arrest-key-scouts/article_dc626e58-a3ed-11e4-b525-471e2528b14d.html
With the holidays over, drug smugglers who frequently traverse through Pinal County have resumed their activities and the West Desert Task Force is back at work to stop illegal drugs from entering the country.
Drug smuggling through the area happens year-round, but a press release from the Pinal County Sheriff's Office said activity slows during the holidays.
"That is short-lived, however, and members of law enforcement have already become aware of hilltop scouts returning to the hills on the Tohono O'odham Nation," a PCSO press release said.
Hilltop scouts position themselves at higher elevations and act as traffic guards, alerting drug smugglers about law enforcement activities in the area and advising them on which paths they should take.
Last year, the West Desert Task Force, a collaborative effort between the Pinal County Sheriff's Office and federal agencies, began targeting scouts, carrying out three stings that each lasted several days.
As a result of the stings, 19 people were arrested and most were charged with conspiracy and possession of marijuana for sale, a Class 3 felony.
Most have been sentenced to several years in prison, the press release said.
Two defendants have cases outstanding that are set for trial this month.
Since the West Desert Task Force began in 2012, it has seized 101 tons of marijuana, made 1,677 apprehensions and seized or recovered 514 vehicles and 67 firearms, according to the press release.
The task force, which is supported by the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force and works in association with the Alliance to Combat Transnational Threats, is tasked with combating narcotics trafficking in the region.
END
5000 cartridges seized at bus station
Details Published on Saturday January 24, 2015,
Written by Staff / El Diario
http://www.eldiariodesonora.com.mx/nota.php?nota=44231
Nogales.
Elements of the Mexican Army and Municipal Transit Police seized two suitcases with over 5000 rounds of ammunition that were abandoned in the middle of Autotransportes Guasave bus station on this border.
Reports of Public Security said it was at 10:30 hours Municipal Transit agents were alerted by employees of the plant on the presence of two suitcases that had more than 24 hours at the dockside.
Once in place an employee told the soldiers that since Thursday there were in the area of ascent and descent of passengers two bags of black color, they did not know how they got there, or to whom they belonged, but weighing a lot.
It was at that moment in front of the bus station was passing a military vehicle, so agents asked them to open the suitcases noting that there were two cartons of soft drinks brands Thunder and Dr. Twist up.
Inside authorities found two drum magazines used for a long weapon, each in a brown box tied with masking tape inside the cartons were found 140 boxes with 20 rounds of ammunition caliber 7.62x39 .
While in the other case other boxes which contained 124 boxes each of 20 rounds, all of the same caliber and brand, WPA Polyformance. Also were found four boxes of 20 cartridges of the same caliber but brand Tula Ammo, totaling 5,300 rounds of ammunition for assault rifle.
The munitions were taken by the authorities to public safety building where they were brought before a judge who ordered they remain in possession of the military authorities, to make them available to the Federal Public Ministry.
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