US-Mexico border safety shaping election campaigns in Arizona in 2024
The upcoming elections in Arizona are being heavily influenced by discussions surrounding border security, with recent actions taken against the Sinaloa Cartel and Mexico-based companies making headlines. The United States government has frozen the financial assets of 15 members of the Sinaloa Cartel and six related companies involved in drug trafficking into Arizona and the United States.
Undersecretary Wally Adeyemo of the U.S. Treasury Department announced the sanctions in Phoenix, alongside U.S. attorney for Arizona, Gary Restaino, Attorney General Kris Mayes, and Mayor Kate Gallego. The measures aim to target money laundering associated with one of the world‘s most notorious drug trafficking organizations.
According to Treasury officials, cartel affiliates were involved in negotiating fentanyl sales in the United States and using the proceeds to purchase cell phones in Mexico, which were then sold to finance cartel activities. The sanctions imposed on these individuals and businesses prohibit U.S. banks and financial companies from conducting transactions with them, similar to measures taken against other adversaries of the United States.
The Biden administration’s efforts to combat fentanyl trafficking have been underscored by these actions, with Adeyemo highlighting the importance of cooperation between federal agencies, including the DEA and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Arizona. This cooperation extends to sharing intelligence and resources to address the flow of fentanyl across the southern border.
As the issue of border security takes center stage in Arizona’s political landscape, officials are calling on Congress to support further efforts to combat drug trafficking. Attorney General Mayes emphasized the need for federal assistance in addressing cartel activities and suggested that local law enforcement agencies could play a greater role in border security efforts.
With the opioid crisis on the rise in Arizona, fueled in part by fentanyl overdoses, the need for robust security measures along the border has become more pressing than ever. As politicians and law enforcement officials seek to address these challenges, the upcoming elections in Arizona are likely to be shaped by discussions around border safety and national security.