NCJ Number
49407
Date Published
1978
Length
9 pages
Annotation
THE YUMA COUNTY, ARIZONA, NARCOTICS TASK FORCE COMBATS NARCOTICS SMUGGLING, BY LAND AND BY AIR, IN THE SPARSELY POPULATED DESERT REGION BORDERING MEXICO.
Abstract
THE RUGGED TERRAIN, THE HEAT, THE LACK OF WATER IN MANY AREAS, AND THE VAST UNINHABITED REGIONS INVOLVED (YUMA COUNTY COVERS ABOUT 12,000 SQUARE MILES), MAKE THE JOB OF DETECTING NARCOTICS SMUGGLERS A DIFFICULT ONE. IN SOME AREAS, SURVEILLANCE AIRCRAFT MUST BE USED TO TRACK SUSPECT VEHICLES AND AGENTS CARRY SHOTGUNS AND RIFLES IN ADDITION TO THE USUAL SIDEARMS. IN THE 18 MILE STRETCH OF RIVER BOTTOM, A FAVORITE ROUTE FOR SMUGGLERS, VISIBILITY IS HAMPERED BY THE TERRAIN AND BRUSH AND CLOSER SURVEILLANCE IS NECESSARY. BECAUSE OF THE VAST AMOUNT OF REMOTE AND WILD TERRAIN WHICH MAKES OPEATION OF ISOLATED AIRSTRIPS BY SMUGGLERS FEASIBLE, SPECIAL PLANNING AND OPERATIONS ARE REQUIRED TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM. THE TASK FORCE ALSO COVERS THE CITY OF YUMA. UNDERCOVER OPERATIONS MAY RESULT IN ARRESTS IN MOTELS OR SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOTS, WHERE THE SAFETY OF THE AGENTS AND THE INNOCENT BYSTANDERS ARE OFTEN A MAJOR CONCERN, ESPECIALLY IN THE CONGESTED CONDITIONS PREVALENT DURING THE WINTER TOURIST SEASON. GIVEN THE VARYING TYPES OF TERRAINS AND OPERATIONS, TASK FORCE PERSONNEL ARE NOT ABLE TO RELY ON ANY ONE WEAPON. AGENTS FURNISH THEIR OWN WEAPONS, AND THE ONLY REQUIREMENT IS THAT THE AGENT'S SIDEARM BE AT LEAST A 38 CALIBER. AGENTS LOOK FOR RELIABLE FIRE POWER IN THEIR WEAPONS. MOST USE A GOOD RELIABLE AUTOMATIC PISTOL SUCH AS THE BROWNING HIGH POWER 9MM OR THE COLT 38 SUPER AUTOMATIC. AGENTS GENERALLY CARRY 12-GUAGE SHOTGUNS WITH 22-INCH BARRELS; THE HIGH STANDARD IS MOST PREFERRED BECAUSE OF ITS EXTRA-CAPACITY MAGAZINE. AGENTS CARRY BOTH 00 SHOT AND SOLID SLUGS. AGENTS' CHOICES OF RIFLES INCUDE THE U.S. CALIBER 30 CARBINE, THE AR-18, AND THE OLD WINCHESTER 30-30. THE YUMA TASK FORCE WORKS COSELY WITH OTHER STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES, THE MEXICAN FEDERAL POLICE, AND ON OCCASION THE CANADIAN POLICE. THROUGH COOPERATION, THE TASK FORCE IS ABLE TO WORK MORE EFFICIENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY AND TO OBTAIN HIGHER CONVICTION RATES. PHOTOGRAPHS OF NUMEROUS DRUG SEIZURES, SOME OVER HALF A TON, AND OF WEAPONS FAVORED BY TASK FORCE AGENTS ARE ALSO INCLUDED. (JAP)