Drug cartels plan to send assassins to Arizona

by Alicia E. Barrón azfamily.com Posted on October 15, 2010 at 5:41 PM

A recently leaked memo from the Department of Homeland Security alerts law enforcement agencies that assassins are being hired by drug cartels in an effort to improve drug trafficking through Arizona.

Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu says the leaked memo was sent to law enforcement agencies throughout the southwest. Sheriff Babeu says, "This is the federal government. Our own homeland security is saying that these drug cartels in Mexico are now working together to protect their interest."

The memo states there was recently a meeting in Puerto Peñasco, Mexico, or Rocky Point, between multiple drug smuggling organizations. Allegedly at the meeting, members of several drug cartels decided to send approximately 15 paid assassins to Vekol Valley in Pinal County. Cartel members also allegedly outlined a plan to send assasins disguised as drug smugglers through the highly-trafficked drug corridor in Vekol Valley. If the fake smugglers were approached by bandits attempting to steal the drugs, the assassins were to execute them.

For critics who say this is just drug dealers killing drug dealers, Babeau says it is more than that. He says the federal government needs to send thousands of armed troops to the border, build a two-walled fence and increase penalties for illegal immigrants arrested in the United States.

"This is a national security threat," explains Sheriff Babeu. "It's no longer just the sheriffs and local police...the day has now arrived where these cartels think that there is no boundary. They'll do whatever it is to carry on their business".