Attorney General Goddard’s Record Of Fighting Border Crime

Attorney General Goddard knows firsthand that we have a serious crisis on our border.

In fact, for years he’s been the only one showing real leadership to stop it.

Any politician can say they have a plan. But only Attorney General Terry Goddard has a record of real leadership getting the bad guys before they get to us.

Choking Off Their Lifeline By Cutting The Illegal Cash Flow

The single most effective method of combating the criminal cartels operating at our doorstep is to cut off their cash flow – and Attorney General Goddard is doing just that.

His office has aggressively pursued the “blood wires”—laundered money made from drug smuggling and human and arms trafficking—sent through Western Union and other money transmitters. Goddard’s aggressive efforts have successfully taken millions of dollars out of the hands of these dangerous criminals.

Leading A Strategic, Coordinated, Effective Crack-Down

Attorney General Goddard understands that our best defense is a good offense. Drug cartels operating along the southwest border are becoming more sophisticated and dangerous with complex smuggling rings and a structured gang organization. These cartels are equipped with military grade weapons, intelligence and technology as well as deputies who carry out orders. The biggest problem we have is on the other side of the border, and we've got to get to the criminals before they set one foot inside Arizona.

That’s why AG Goddard organized the the Southwest Border Alliance, bringing together sheriffs and state Attorneys General from border states, as well as law enforcement from both the U.S. and Mexico. By sharing information and expertise as well as partnering in criminal investigations, Goddard is leading the way in this strategic, coordinated and technologically advanced effort to beat back the violent criminal syndicates operating along our border.

Fighting Border Crime

Drug And Human Smuggling Takedowns

Just this year, Attorney General Goddard oversaw the takedown of a Mexican drug trafficking organization that has moved at least 40,000 pounds of marijuana through southern Arizona, mainly in Cochise County.

Goddard joined federal, state and local law enforcement officials in a 36-month investigation that has already produced 39 indictments and 34 arrests, including an employee of the Cochise County Attorney's Office, who was charged with providing confidential information to the drug traffickers for money. This case shows that the cartels' efforts to infiltrate law enforcement agencies are not limited to Mexico, and that Attorney General Goddard is on the case.

Also this year, Goddard worked with more than 800 agents from nine law enforcement agencies to coordinate a human-smuggling ring bust. Key arrests were made in both Arizona and Mexico through unprecedented cooperation with Mexican law enforcement. The result:  47 people in custody, criminal forfeiture allegations valued at $10 million, and weapons and vehicles seized.

Learn about Attorney General Goddard’s other major busts:

Getting The Resources To Get The Job Done

Make no mistake. If you play a part in the crisis at Arizona’s border, Attorney General Goddard will work to hold you accountable. Recently, Goddard held Western Union accountable, negotiating a tough settlement for their part in illegal money transfers that required the company to:

  • Contribute $50 million to fund prosecutions of drug smuggling and human and arms trafficking, and to crack down on money laundering operations;
  • Reimburse state and local law enforcement $21 million to cover the investigation.
  • Commit $23 million to anti-money laundering efforts.

Demanding Federal Action And Getting Results

Attorney General Goddard knows we need real action from the Federal Government, and we need it now. That’s why Goddard demanded action from President Obama. The administration has made a good start in supporting our state by dispatching 1,200 National Guard troops to the U.S.-Mexico border and requesting $500 million for border protection and law enforcement activities.

While a good start, Attorney General Goddard knows the Federal Government can and must do far more to support the strong efforts of local Arizona law enforcement. Goddard is pushing hard for federal legislation making it a felony to enter the United States illegally, to close loopholes that allow drug, arms and human traffickers to hide their money using advanced technology, to crack down on employers who hire illegal immigrants, and to add significantly more border patrol agents.