Sheriff Estrada: Peck Canyon quiet after Terry shooting

Posted: Mar 03, 2011 9:58 PM CST
Updated: Mar 03, 2011 11:20 PM CST

Reporter: Sergio Avila

RIO RICO, Ariz(KGUN9-TV) - Back on December 14th last year law enforcement saturated the Peck Canyon area near Rio Rico as they hunted down those responsible for killing agent Brian Terry. Travel there today and the landscape looks pristine and calm. Santa Cruz County Sheriff Tony Estrada tells us the once well traveled smuggling route is quiet.

"Since the shooting, the tragedy involving border patrol agent Terry. We have seen very little activity up there. We have had no reports usually we'll get reports of people being assaulted people being hurt, people being robbed a lot of cases, drugs coming out of there and we haven't had any of that since then," Estrada said.

9OYS asked Estrada if he's noticed more law enforcement in the area.

"Definitely, since this happened obviously they concentrated on them and we appreciate that because by being out there it has created less problems and less calls for us," Estrada said.

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff tells KGUN9 News Peck Canyon has been a well known smuggling corridor for several years. David Jernigan calls an area near Peck Canyon home. Jernigan remembers how crowded his quiet streets were after the shooting.

"There was a huge presence and that lasted several weeks," Jernigan said.

Jernigan has lived near Peck Canyon for about four years and since the shooting he's seen the law enforcement numbers decrease.

"All in all I would say it's about normal," Jernigan said.

Sheriff Estrada says all the attention the shooting brought hasn't stopped the smugglers but he says they are exploring other options.

"Obviously these groups are staying away from there as much as possible and shifting their operation. It seems like they're moving their operation west of Santa Cruz County," Estrada said.

There's not only been manpower saturating the Peck Canyon area but Estrada tells 9OYS there's been a steady flow of technology and intelligence that has forced the smugglers to move.

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