Border Patrol steps up enforcement in Arizona's western deserts

Posted: Mar 11, 2011 9:37 PM PST
Updated: Mar 12, 2011 3:38 PM PST
By Teresa Jun - email

TUCSON, AZ (KOLD) - Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Alan Bersin visited southern Arizona this week to tour border operations along the Tucson sector.

He discussed a new effort to step up enforcement along the western stretch of the Tucson sector. He's referring to an 108-mile stretch of Arizona-Mexico border, between the California state line and the Baboquivari mountains. The region includes Ajo, the Vekol Valley, Three Points, and areas around Lukeville.

"The smuggler's last stand is here in the Tucson sector," Bersin said, referring to beefed-up enforcement that has forced criminals to find new routes between Mexico and the U.S. "What's happened is traffic has moved east from San Diego through El Centro, through Yuma, and west from the Rio Grande valley and El Paso."

Border Patrol plans to beef up agents' presence and increase aircraft and technology along the western desert region. The agency has also created a new satellite station in Three Points.

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