Lupita Murillo Reports
Pima County Border Crime Unit doubles in size

Posted: Nov 29, 2007 08:19 PM PST

The Border Crime Unit created by the Pima County Sheriff is so successful it's now doubling in size and increasing their patrol time.

News 4 cameras were the first to capture the unit in action when they started patrolling in June.

The squad was launched with six deputies and one sergeant trained by the Department of Homeland Security. The deputies were pulled from the Safe Streets Unit which had been dissolved.

Deputy Gilbert Dominguez, assigned to the Border Crime Unit, marks the map in Eastern Pima County as latest spot along the border where bandits struck.

The map is plotted with incidents of stolen cars, marijuana, robberies, and assaults.

In the six months the unit has been working the 130 miles of U.S./Mexico border, they've seized 2,000 pounds of marijuana, 8 vehicles and dozens of firearms. But there's much more work to do, so now the unit is going to double in size to 16 deputies, 2 sergeants, and a lieutenant.

Captain Oscar Miranda tells us, "It will, in essence, give us seven day operation in southern Arizona, which allows us to cover more territory, allowing us to deploy different kinds of strategies."

Add to the mix some federal agents who will be helping with intelligence as well as working operations. Deputy Dominguez says, "There'll be more people to help complete the mission."

Lt. Jeff Palmer will be heading the unit come December 9.

"Our primary focus is interrupting and disrupting criminal element coming across the border, northbound and southbound."

The Border Crime unit is expanding its operation. Not only will they be working out of the third floor at the Sheriff's department on Benson Hwy, but they will also be headquartered at Robles Junction, taking them closer to the action.

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