| | |  Americas & Beyond 
Richardson Details National Guard Deployment to US-Mexico Border
 Matt Robinson - Deming Headlight
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April 08, 2010
| | "We've got to give the sheriff and the county and the mayor the resources they need." - Gov. Richardson | |
Gov. Bill Richardson released details Wednesday of his ordered National Guard deployment to the international border with Mexico, following a tour from eastern Arizona, where a prominent rancher was killed late-March.
The governor made three stops Wednesday, starting in Arizona and then traveling to Lordsburg before meeting with Luna County, village of Columbus and Deming Public Schools officials to discuss the orders and border needs.
His order has increased the presence to 70 Guardsmen, who will aid the Border Patrol and local law enforcement agencies in their efforts to keep drug cartel and trafficking violence in Mexico from spilling into counties along the border with a focus on the Bootheel region.
"Today I've seen almost the entire New Mexico border, touring in my helicopter," Richardson explained before meeting with Luna County law enforcement officials and representatives of the village of Columbus and Deming Public Schools. "With the governor of Arizona, we toured the Arizona side adjoining New Mexico where that killing took place."
Twenty of the 35 additional Guardsmen will be deployed to remote areas of the Bootheel near the Arizona border, with 15 focused on patrolling the entire border - alongside Border Patrol personnel and law enforcement.
"I ordered the National Guard to come to the border because I'm worried about the safety of our citizens," he said. "The drug cartels, they're increasing, getting stronger."
Drug trafficking, illegal immigration and concerns of property damage from area farmers and ranchers are daily concerns for Columbus Police Chief Angelo Vega and Luna County Sheriff Raymond Cobos. Each say they have the necessary equipment in place to fight trafficking and violence, but funding is crucial to keep boots on the ground and cruisers throughout the county.
"Basically, I wish I had at least two or three more officers," Sheriff Cobos said, noting Operation Stonegarden funds are crucial to maintaining a presence in Columbus and throughout Luna County. Gov. Richardson said he would urge the next governor to maintain Stonegarden funding for law enforcement agencies.
Columbus Mayor Eddie Espinoza echoed the calls for additional funding.
"We've got to give the sheriff and the county and the mayor the resources they need," Gov. Richardson added.
Guard units have had a proven track record of success along the border. In 2006, up to 6,000 Guardsmen assisted Border Patrol agents as part of Operation Jump Start.
During the Guard deployment, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, more than 176,000 undocumented aliens were apprehended in addition to more than 321,000 pounds of marijuana and cocaine that were seized.
Richardson pointed to one success already seen: 900 pounds of marijuana were recovered by Guard units and trails used by traffickers were found last week. He said the intelligence gathered will be valuable to future border enforcement efforts.
Matt Robinson can be reached at mrobinson(at)demingheadlight.com
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