Note: A clear and present danger for all of us here. The following
pretty well sums it up: "Crocker said most of the criminal activity,
however, occurs north of the border where these bandits see less risk
and more profit."
BTW, a strong lack of interest in the incident by local media.
Immigration & Customs Enforcement: Rip crews a growing problem in
Arizona
Deputies still looking for gunmen who shot at truckload of immigrants
near Eloy
CREATED APR. 10, 2012
http://www.kgun9.com/news/local/146916205.html
NOGALES, Ariz. (KGUN9-TV) – A deadly ambush in the remote desert. Two
immigrants gunned down by a group of armed people in fatigues. And
the killer(s) are still on the loose.
The Pima County Sheriff's Department is looking for the gunmen who
shot at a truckload of immigrants Sunday in a remote area near Eloy.
The violent ambush left two people dead and now the search is one for
what is likely a rip crew.
So what is law enforcement doing to stop these border bandits?
Bandits, thieves, or opportunists – whatever you call rip crews –
they essentially do the same thing: They ambush drug dealers to steal
their load or kidnap immigrants for ransom. And the government says
they are becoming much more common in Arizona.
"Their principal goal is avoid any smuggling fees or the risk of
actually smuggling. They will target the actual smugglers be it
contraband or alien loads," said Rick Crocker, a Deputy Special Agent
in Charge at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
He told 9 On Your Side rip crews have been around for roughly two
decades, but there are more of them now than ever, especially in
remote, dangerous areas. These border bandits usually work in small
groups, but are not connected to a larger network.
Crock said battling border bandits requires a two-pronged approach
from ICE: "We will attempt to proactively identify organizations
through informants or intelligence that we develop. We're also very
reactive if Border Patrol encounters a group. We will interview the
aliens or backpackers if they have had their loads stolen."
Rip crews are a growing problem for Santa Cruz County Sheriff Tony
Estrada. He said what we hear about is only a fraction of the problem
because most incidents go unreported.
"It's very, very difficult [to arrest rip crews] because of the
terrain. It's very difficult to do that also because of the delays
and failure to report these incidents," Estrada said.
The Sheriff added that his officers can't patrol the smuggling path
that rip crews stake out, given his department's limited resources,
but deputies help Border Patrol when possible in a battle that
demands growing resources.
"More boots on the ground, more technology maybe, more cooperation,
and more interaction with Mexican authorities so that they can report
activities coming across the border," said Estrada, referring to ways
to better combat the border bandits.
Crocker said most of the criminal activity, however, occurs north of
the border where these bandits see less risk and more profit.
"They are very opportunistic and they steal whatever they can get
their hands on," Crocker said.
Border Patrol is in charge of arresting these bandits, whom ICE then
investigates; both federal agencies work with local law enforcement
to gather intelligence.
No comments:
Post a Comment