Cartels outspend border patrol in Arizona, official says
Radhica De Silva
1 hour ago
20260520
RADHICA DE SILVA
Senior Multimedia Reporter
radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
NOGALES, Arizona — U.S. border agents patrolling Arizona’s vast and unforgiving frontier are confronting criminal organisations with billion-dollar resources while operating under comparatively limited budgets, a disparity officials say has become one of the biggest challenges in securing the border.
Deputy Agent in Charge Rich White said the financial imbalance between Mexican cartels and U.S. Border Patrol operations creates an uphill battle in an environment already defined by punishing terrain and logistical obstacles.
“Our operating budget is only in the millions compared to the adversary in the billions,” White said during a briefing in southern Arizona during the Foreign Press Centres Reporting tour, which takes place between May 17 and 23. Journalists from around the world, including Pakistan, India, Germany, the United Kingdom, The Gambia, Chile, Colombia, Nigeria, Kenya, Peru and Spain
According to White, Arizona’s Border Patrol sector operates with a budget of roughly US$24 million to US$25 million. Yet approximately US$22 million of that amount is consumed simply by keeping vehicles operational — paying for fuel, maintenance and truck tyres needed to cover the state’s enormous territory.
That leaves only a few million dollars for equipment upgrades, tactical adjustments and other operational needs.
https://www.guardian.co.tt/news/cartels-outspend-border-patrol-in-arizona-official-says-6.2.2588944.8a51859817
