By: MaryEllen Resendez
CASA GRANDE, AZ - Two men shot earlier this week could be the result of the ongoing battle between Mexican drug cartels now spilling over deep into Arizona, officials say.
Pinal County investigators say an area known as the smuggling corridor now stretches from Mexico's border to metro Phoenix.
The area, once an area for family hiking and off road vehicles has government signs warning residents of the drug and human smugglers.
Night vision cameras have photographed cartel members with military arms delivering drugs to vehicles along Highway 8.
"We are three counties deep. How is it that you see pictures like these, not American with semi and fully automatic rifles. How is that okay?" asked Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu.
Babeu said he no longer has control over parts of his county.
"We are outgunned, we are out manned and we don't have the resources here locally to fight this," he said at a Friday news conference.
Five weeks ago Deputy Louie Puroll was ambushed and shot as he tracked six drug smugglers.
Sheriff Babeu said the ambush mirrored military tactics.
Even more disturbing, Babeu said the man who called in to 911 operators for help seemed to know a lot about the sheriff deputy's case.
"He told operators they could find him where the deputy was shot and talked about our search helicopter. Things that were not talked about on the news," Babeu said.
When operators asked the fatally wounded man how he knew the area, he claimed he sold cantelope near mile post 150.
Both men were found dead several hours later.
Detectives say next to them was a Bushmaster automatic rifle used by police officers for patrolling. It does not appear to be stolen.
Investigators also revealed that an autopsy showed strap marks on one of the men that likely came from hauling heavy loads, they suspect were drugs.
One of the men, deputies say, was voluntarily deported seven times.
Babeu said he doesn't believe the drug cartel problems will not be solved when SB 1070 becomes a law, or with President Obama's promise of 1,200 troops spread out among four border states.
"It will fall short. What is truly needed in 3,000 soldiers for Arizona alone," Babeu said.
Monday, June 14, 2010
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Pinal County Sheriff: Mexican drug cartels now control parts of Arizona
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When will those idiots sitting up on the hill realize that there is a full scale war going on along our southern border? They send hundreds of millions of dollars to other countries, but fail to secure our border to protect the citizens that live there. Start deploying National Guard troops and give them weapons to defend themselves with. Let them go out with the Border Patrol as additional fire support. I am sure those guys will appreciate it. If D.C. doesn't do something soon I am sure that regular ARMED civilians will take matters into their own hands and start shooting these smugglers on site without a care in the world.
ReplyDeletei agree with the above comment, at least it makes sense, many think that racist comments and attitudes will solve the problems, it's hands-on approach!
ReplyDeleteIf you want to solve this problem either send in the Navy Seals, or Special forces or just send in Black Water and be done with it!
ReplyDeleteWhat really puzzles me is how Babeu can support John McCain, 'amigo to illegals'???? If you really want to get the border secured why would you endorse a politician who has already had MANY years in office to get something done but chose to spend that time trying to get amnesty for illegals? We've had SEVEN amnesties and all that they did for us was bring more illegals hoping to get in on the next amnesty... and let's not forget that the ones who get amnesty sponsor their family members to join them here. Who thinks that will help secure the border? Who thinks that McCain won't go for amnesty again IF and as soon as he gets elected for another term? Most importantly, who can still trust the 'maverick' who now says he was never a maverick to be telling us the truth now about who he is? Maybe Babeu thinks McAmnesty will be of some help to him but I, for one know better after witnessing McCain several months ago having a private meeting with the Hispanics right before an open meeting with the precinct committeemen. Who's side is he REALLY on?
ReplyDeleteEveryone knows the Pima County Sheriff Dupnik, is the responsible for 50%of all illegal aliens. Dupnik personally condemned the 1070. IAs have to enter through Pima County first, the Tuscon sector. Why isn't anyone holding Dupnik, to task?
ReplyDeleteSo let's ignore, the dysinformation.
Even Senator Kyle, stated this fact on C-Span, in front of Napolitano, DHS!
"The area, once an area for family hiking and off road vehicles has government signs warning residents of the drug and human smugglers."
ReplyDelete------------------------------------------------
I'm a senior and in the 1950's we used to drive through Arizona with my mom, aunt, and 4 kids.
You never saw one Mexican national anywhere while we drove through Arizona
to visit family in New Mexico. We felt absolutely safe driving without an adult male in the car. My mom and aunt were in their 20's
and we all had a ball driving through Arizona.
There was no such thing as illegal aliens or drug cartels from other countries in this region.
President Eisenhower didn't fool around. There was no such thing in the U.S. as a "sanctuary city"!
These Liberal politicians are destroying our lives and security with open borders.
I feel bad for you young people today.
Why is that people don't see that it takes two to tango? Before, the drugs came from Colombia, now they come from Mexico thanks to NAFTA. But, if we have them here, isn't it because Americans love to get high?
ReplyDeleteIf it bothers you that "illigals" bring their relatives, isn't it the same thing that the first British people did? They were escpaing from England and came to a beautiful place that didn't have any diseases. Beside, they didn't have a passport or legal document to enter the country. So, if you ancestor was an illigal and brought his relatives with him, isn't it the same thing? History repeats itself...stop being hypocrite. It seems that people like to shoot at others because of their own faults.
Barack Obama, Janet Napolitano, John Morton and all others complicit in ignoring the on-going criminal activity at our wide-open borders: WHAT WILL YOU DO WHEN A MEXICAN-STYLE MASSACRE TAKES PLACE ON U.S. SOIL? WILL IT TAKE SEVERED HEADS AND LIMBS...CORPSES HANGING FROM FREEWAY OVERPASSES? Apparently, one or two murders of law enforcement and/or border patrol agents doesn't qualify for the attention of these government posers. This is an outrage!
ReplyDeleteIs Sheriff Babeu backing McCain for re-election? Amazing if true. I find that hard to bee-leeve since Babeu is a good buddy of Sheriff Joe who is NOT a fan of McCain's...
ReplyDeleteIt's past time for action. The current "O" administration should see for themselves how bad the current situation in AZ really is.
ReplyDeleteI live in Pinal County, AZ, and have regular contacts and emails to Sheriff Babeu. He has yet to explain to me why he is making ads for John McCain's campaign to get re-elected, for his philosophy seems closer aligned with that of another candidate. Babeu is very ambitious for himself and we figure he has a personal agenda in wanting the backing of this senator. But to us voters, Babeu and Sarah Palin's support of McCain seems to counter their purported goals and public stances.
ReplyDeleteFor what it is worth, Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County (the Phoenix area) is a full supporter of Rep. J. D. Hayworth for the Senate seat instead of McCain. To us voters, support from Arpaio carries far more weight than that of John McCain because Arpaio does what needs to get done and what he feels is right.
I say move the "Ivory Tower" from the hill to Nogales and make the "powers that be" live there.
ReplyDeleteDon't want drug cartels sending bullets flying through the air and eating up law enforcement and prison funding? Legalize marijuana. Learn from what happened when alcohol was outlawed. Same deal with this.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this report. People have got to start seeing what is going on.
ReplyDeletehere are more videos on this issue:
Border Wilderness – Too Dangerous for the Public
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wY6sPP7m8rA
The US no longer controls many wilderness, park, monument and wildlife refuges along our southern border. Drug cartels control these areas. Land designations have a significant impact on the ability of the Border Patrol to effectively control crime, due to the numerous restrictions imposed, such as no use of motorized vehicles and no mechanized equipment. Our wilderness, national wildlife refuges, monuments and other federal lands along the Arizona border are becoming havens for criminal activity due to drug and human smuggling cartels that now "own" these areas. They understand the severe restrictions on Border Patrol and law enforcement, and it makes these areas very "criminal friendly". We must secure our borders and get law enforcement in these areas. Wilderness on the border does not make sense. it is time to secure our borders.
I live but a few miles where the young illegal kid got shot by a BP agent. It seems as if these drug smugglers, people smugglers, and all kind of smugglers are getting out of hand! They are everywhere! Not only in AZ, but here in El Paso as well. As you travel any street here in El Paso, you see Cadillac Escalades, Yukons, and these other nice and pricey SUV's with these expensive rims, blasting their obnoxious spanish music - all driven by young "gangsta type dudes."
ReplyDeleteDisturbing as well, is the plethora of these Mexican plated vehicles parked in EVERY neighborhood!! THEY ARE COMING, THEY ARE COMING TO AMERICA!
So now NAFTA is responsible for drugs coming into the USA...and I thought it was the high demand for drug usage by American citizens that drove the drug trade! And, of course, SB 1070 is going to curtail the drug usage by Americans as well. Oh, brother...you talk about missing the point.
ReplyDeletecome on this is America where is our freedom ..lets get it done do what we got to do and help out Aizona send troops over ther
ReplyDeleteThanks for your post. Cross posted part of the story at Blogs For Borders: US Citizens Warned To Avoid Arizona Border Areas
ReplyDeleteI live in pinal county. I'm not stupid, Babeau is all about publicity. He wants to be a celebrity(on world news every day) a la verga. He is doing his job well I will say but Babeau pisses me off a little. Only bothers me cuz I know his real purpose. He's full of himself but I guess its for the good of the county in all reality, but I still say F** that. leave my homies alone WEY!! Screw all yall hater right wingerz. Oh yea Im a right winger too but like I said. CHAPO y MZ y todos SINALOA,!!REPRESENT!! Screw this I'm going back for Guasave right now wey!! See u soon
ReplyDeleteAs long as we know where thier trails are maybe we should just plant bouncing betties all along the trails. fter a few of their mules and guards get blown to smithereens the minions might think twice about trapsing across the desert.
ReplyDeleteWashington needs to know how they are sabotaging our own country. They are going to bring a lawsuit against AZ and that will cost the state the money they could use for enforcement.
ReplyDeleteThis is crazy.
I live in Bisbee...the liberal bastion of southern Arizona. The fools that live here are so stupid, they don't know if Jesus died on the cross or was killed on a bicycle! There are signs in front of homes all over this town that advertise that they will give illegals assistance because it is the "humanitarian" thing to do. I say, call the border patrol and have THEM give them a drink of water before they send them back where they came from!
ReplyDeleteIt's all about votes folks! 20 million new liberal democrat voters will permanently change this country into a socialist government within one generation!
America should adopt Mexicos policy toward illegals...and strictly enforce it...give them a dose of their own medicine
ReplyDelete"America should adopt Mexicos policy toward illegals...and strictly enforce it...give them a dose of their own medicine"
ReplyDeleteLet's see can a US citizen visit Mexico as a tourist, or a border Mexican town without a visa?
Yes
Can a Mexican citizen visit the US?
No, unless you pass strict rules and conditions, almost impossible.
Quit mouthing off shit you read on right wing media!
for your information boca grande pendejo,,,any persona foraneo needs a visa to go past the line of control..there is no charge for 7 dias , and 180 days visa is 20 dollars usd..the visa is issued easily, as the US visa should be issued to Mexicans easy...pero, if you are in Mexico illegal , you can go to jail for 4 years,plus a fine,..i am not a rite wing, i am married to a mexican citizen and spend a lot of time in mexico..i respect the laws of Mexico ...and is it not igual to expect mexicans to respete la leyas de EUA...i am in favor of Mexicans being able to come to the USA easy, my wife is having a hard time getting a visa , and it really sucks ...I have to go to dangerous Mexico to be with her ...where i can not work , and make no money...but untill the law changes ....so mebbe you should habla no mas mierda yourself... tabien? thank you
ReplyDeleteFor the record, I am from AZ and against the the new racist law. Most "illegals" just want a better life for themselves and their families and frankly do the low-paying, back-breaking jobs that Americans won't do.
ReplyDeleteHowever, the drug smuggling has got to stop. If Mexico can't get a handle on their crime, what we need to do is establish a no man's land and start shooting first and asking questions later. Our current process of trying to catch them puts our BP at risk.
A few bullets could send a strong message that it is not safe to cross into the US
The need for local, well armed men from Arazona to patrol and enforce the border is great. If the Feds won't do it, then AZ MUST take it upon its self to do it. With or with out funding. A call for AZ men to take up the fight.
ReplyDelete