Thread: Progress? Assets have been seized

http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/printDS/120952

Published: 03.20.2006

Governor touts state efforts to seize smuggling money, assetsBy JACQUES BILLEAUD
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
PHOENIX - Gov. Janet Napolitano on Wednesday touted state efforts in the last year to make business harder for immigrant smugglers by seizing money and assets tied to sneaking people across the border.

State prosecutors, police officers and banking regulators have seized $15 million, $3 million in vehicles and $5 million in property belonging to smugglers, leading to the arrests of 160 people on smuggling charges and related offenses, Napolitano said at a news conference.

The seizures were made after authorities monitored money wiring transfers into Arizona and were given court permission to target the assets of alleged smugglers, prosecutors said.

The governor said she was reflecting on a year's worth of seizures on Wednesday because of some cases were made public recently.

Republican Rep. Russell Pearce of Mesa, a critic of Napolitano's record on immigration, said he favors going after smugglers, but that the governor has done little to target the thousands of people who each year pay smugglers to help them cross the border.

"We ought to be arresting in any and all of them," Pearce said.

Arizona, the busiest illegal entry point along the nation's southern border, serves as a hub for smugglers who transport illegal workers across the country. Public pressure is mounting for state politicians who face re-election races this year to confront the problem.

Republican critics of the Democratic governor said Napolitano is trying to paper over her weak record on immigration.

Napolitano, who has ordered National Guard troops to Arizona-Mexico border once the project's funding is secured, has said she's trying to lessen a problem that the federal government hasn't adequately confronted.

State Attorney General Terry Goddard said the state will continue to disrupt smuggling operations.

"It becomes less and less attractive to smuggle into Arizona if you know your assets are going to be seized when you're here," Napolitano said.

That is good news Mapwife

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