KOLD News 13Border Patrol Requests Permanent Checkpoints

Border Patrol Requests Permanent Checkpoints

By J.D. Wallace, KOLD News 13 Reporter

posted 11/21/04

From more than 400 pounds of pot seized nearDouglas Friday morning, to nearly 1800 pounds found in a southeast side home on Sunday, there is plenty of proof drug traffic can be through anyone's backyard.

"That's kind of surprising, but the drugs aren't surprising, they're going everywhere,” said southeast side resident Robert Williams.

"We're not saying the border is sealed by any means.  I mean there is still a lot of work to be done.  We realized that.  There are still a lot of resources to be brought to this area.  But the bottom line is the border is a lot more secure this year than it was last year,” said Tucson sector Border Patrol agent Andy Adame.

The Border Patrol has more agents, more equipment, and has seized more pot this year than last year.  But the agency is asking for another tool: permanent checkpoints.  Arizona is the only Mexico border state without them.

"I think that most people are under the perception that we can pick up one of these checkpoints and move them to another location in 15 minutes.  That doesn't happen.  Moving a checkpoint takes us anywhere from five to six hours,” Adame said.

Adame says permanent checkpoints offer phone and computer lines, video, and lighting.

When smugglers try to avoid these areas, Adame says the border patrol will know.

"Once they get out of that vehicle, not only does the bring the danger to the general public down quite a bit, but it allows us to apprehend them a lot more efficiently.  It will allow us to put sensors out there, remote video surveillance cameras out there,” Adame said.

Border Patrol funding in the Tucson sector requires the checkpoints be temporary, and Congressman Jim Kolbe has opposed permanent ones.  He's now requested the Government Accountability Office to see which will be more effective in the fight against not only drug or people smuggling, but also for homeland security.

"We've apprehended aliens from what we call special interest countries, countries that support terrorism, but we have yet to apprehend anybody who we positively tied to a terrorist organization or is a terrorist themselves,” Adame said.

The GAO report should be ready by the spring.