TUCSON: The Tucson Sector Border Patrol, supported by Air and Marine Operations, participated in a binational operation with Mexico between April 17 – 30 that resulted in the arrest of 467 subjects and the seizure of 25,000 pounds of marijuana valued at approximately $12.5 million.
Operation “Double Threat” (U.S.) and “Relampago Azul” (Mexico), coordinated by the Tucson Sector’s Foreign Operations Branch, involved mirrored patrol operations designed to disrupt and dismantle transnational criminal organizations operating on both sides of the border.
Authorities used a targeted enforcement approach to focus on illegal activities in high-traffic areas around Nogales. Throughout the operation, U.S. officials analyzed traffic trends and patterns in coordination with Mexican authorities and deployed assets based on joint risk assessments.
In addition to the drug seizures and arrests, the operation resulted in a 44 percent drop in illegal entries in the area of Nogales, Arizona; identification of 11 stolen vehicles found in Mexico; and the seizure of $250,000 in U.S. currency and $16,392 worth of Mexican pesos. Mexican authorities made a major contribution with regard to these seizures.
“The binational operation shows how the integration of information and mirrored enforcement can further secure our borders,” said Tucson Sector Chief Paul Beeson. “Some of these drugs were seized in Mexico before they even had a chance to cross the border and further endanger our communities. Our ability to work in a coordinated fashion with our law enforcement partners in Mexico contributes to a safer border environment for us all.”
