Monday, March 28th 2016, 1:25 pm PDT
Monday, March 28th 2016, 2:52 pm PDT
By Tucson News Now Staff


In early 2015, seven surveillance towers were installed in the Nogales area. (Source: Tucson News Now)

TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) -
The high-tech monitoring system used to spot illegal immigrants and smugglers is expanding in southern Arizona.

In early 2015, a network of seven surveillance towers was installed in the Nogales area as part of the system's testing phase.

Each tower has a suite of sensors (radar, electro-optical and infrared surveillance cameras), generators and communications.

The system helps the Border Patrol keep an eye on the unsecured areas of the Tucson Sector and dispatch agents when needed.

On March 1, the agency reported the system has passed its test and will move on to the second phase.

The project will now be expanded to include a total of 52 towers at Sonoita, Douglas, Casa Grande, the Interstate 19 checkpoint and other locations.

"This decision is based on a review of test results and agent feedback from the IFT deployment in Nogales, Arizona," said Ronald Vitiello, acting Chief U.S. Border Patrol. "Test results and agent feedback confirm that the IFT system adds surveillance capability, increasing situational awareness and officer safety."

http://www.tucsonnewsnow.com/story/3...-tucson-sector