ACTT Partners Participate in a Three Day Vekol Valley Operation

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Tucson, AZ – The Alliance to Combat Transnational Threats is a multi-agency organization involving Arizona law enforcement. This alliance recently completed its seventh iteration of joint activities for fiscal year 2011 from Sept. 14 – 17. Intelligence gathered and shared between the agencies led to:

4,369.5 pounds of marijuana seized

40 Undocumented aliens apprehended (11 facing felony charges)

3 United States Citizens apprehended (all facing felony charges)

4 vehicles seized

3 stolen vehicles recovered

1 stolen Arizona license plate recovered

3 weapons seized

This latest operation, led by the Arizona Department of Public Safety, concentrated efforts in Vekol Valley and included:

Tucson and Yuma Sector Border Patrol;

Customs and Border Protection Office of Air and Marine;

Immigration Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations and Enforcement Removal Operations;

Bureau of Land Management;

United States Attorney’s Office;

Pinal and Maricopa County Sheriff’s Offices;

Pinal County Attorney’s Office;

Tohono O’odham Police Department;

Gila River Police Department;

Eloy Police Department; and

HIDTA Task Force.

Border Patrol detection equipment and air assets from the CBP Office of Air and Marine were used in the operation to deny, degrade, disrupt and dismantle smuggling organizations operating in Vekol Valley. 

“As we’ve all seen in the news recently, our officers put their lives on the line every moment they’re conducting these interdiction efforts in the Vekol Valley. It’s extremely dangerous work but it’s producing great results. My thanks to our local and federal law enforcement partners for making this another successful operation aimed at making our communities safer,” said Robert Halliday, Director of the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

ACTT is a collaborative, cooperative enforcement approach that leverages the capabilities and resources of Department of Homeland Security agencies in Arizona in partnership with other federal, state, local and tribal governments, as well as the Government of Mexico. By working together and sharing vital information on current smuggling trends, these intelligence-driven operations have led to a number of mutually beneficial actions against individuals and criminal organizations considered threatening to the United States and Mexico.

Customs and Border Protection welcomes assistance from the community. Report suspicious activity to the Border Patrol by calling (877) 872-7435 toll free. All calls will be answered and remain anonymous.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.