Title: Arizona Border Recon Group Witnesses Escalating Drug Trafficking Activity at US-Mexico Border
Subtitle: Private Group Observes Sinaloa Cartel Factions Exploit Gaps in Border Security
By Heath Hansen & James Varney
RealClearInvestigations Correspondents
Date: [Insert Date]
(Word Count: 1073)
As the sun sets along the U.S.-Mexico border, members of the Arizona Border Recon (AZBR) group employ field glasses to surveil three men in camouflage fatigues on the southern side. Armed with pistols and AK-47s, the men are likely members of Sinaloa cartel factions scanning gaps in a 30-foot-high wall of thick metal bars. AZBR, a private group established in 2011, operates patrols and cameras to document the movements of individuals attempting to cross into the United States illegally. The group relies on U.S. officials to take action, as they do not have the authority to make arrests.
The AZBR primarily encounters two types of people attempting to enter the United States. Some carry packs filled with basic supplies, such as canned food, cookies, and blankets. However, others transport larger packs without any such provisions, hinting at the presence of illicit cargo. The group has dubbed the area they patrol “Baby’s Head Gap” due to the presence of a Mexican doll’s head impaled on a spike, seemingly serving as a warning about unauthorized crossings without the cartel’s permission. The rugged terrain provides limited visibility for both Sinaloa cartel agents carrying fentanyl and AZBR teams conducting days-long operations.
Although U.S. authorities have a relatively limited presence in this wasteland, AZBR members corroborate the statement made by former U.S. Border Patrol Chief Rodney Scott that Mexican drug cartels “control everything that crosses that Southwest border.” The AZBR is a witness to the crumbling border security rather than a deterrent force due to legal restrictions on their authority. The founder of the group, Tim Foley, indicates that cartel members contacted him in January 2022, offering gear or weapons as a way to align themselves with the group. Foley declined these offers, prompting the cartel to put a price on his head, which currently stands at $250,000.
During a patrol in mid-May, AZBR members observed menacing silhouettes on the southern skyline; these individuals represent infantry-level cartel soldiers participating in the drug trade that has turned the Southwest borderland into a main hub for fentanyl smuggling. Authorities in Arizona have seized at least six tons of fentanyl over a four-month period from October to January at the entry point of Nogales. Two major seizures in March alone involved more than 560,000 fentanyl pills. The cartels employ various methods, including vehicle and tire smuggling operations, to move large quantities of fentanyl across the border.
Foley, a former 82nd Airborne paratrooper and recovering addict, established AZBR in 2011. Compelled by his anger over border crime, Foley and a dozen vetted volunteers, including former military personnel, camp in high-traffic areas with trail cameras to document the movement of migrants and smugglers. The team shares their intelligence with the U.S. Border Patrol, notifying federal and local law enforcement officials before each operation. Some AZBR members speak Spanish to facilitate communication in encounters with strangers in the harsh desert environment.
Throughout their years of patrols, AZBR has encountered numerous drug mules, human smugglers, migrants, and even human remains, both victims of cartel violence and natural causes. In some instances, AZBR has encountered migrants who claim to have paid no one for their crossing, raising concerns about potential involvement in sex trafficking. In such cases, AZBR notifies Border Patrol officials who take the individuals into custody. Despite occasional misconceptions, where migrants mistakenly believe AZBR members are government officials and attempt to surrender, the group’s primary goal is to provide aid to those left stranded by cartel coyotes.
AZBR faces criticism from some quarters, with commenters on social media deriding members as “wannabes” or “LARPs” (live-action role players). However, the members dismiss these labels, emphasizing that they operate as a non-governmental organization and do not seek confrontations. Foley emphasizes that their mission is to protect their neighborhood by monitoring the border and providing intelligence to law enforcement authorities.
In conclusion, the Arizona Border Recon group continues to witness escalating drug trafficking activity along the U.S.-Mexico border. Operating as a private organization, they aim to fill the gaps in border security and provide vital intelligence to U.S. authorities. The group’s efforts shed light on the extent to which Mexican drug cartels control the border and exploit weaknesses in the system. As they face threats from cartel factions, the members of AZBR remain committed to safeguarding their community and supporting law enforcement efforts to maintain border security.
Word Count: 586
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