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The Pinal County Sheriff's Office has created an anti-smuggling possee to target drug and human smuggling because the federal government has failed to protect the border.

The newly-formed posse will be armed and scattered throughout western Pinal County, where trafficking has been known to take place.

Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu said the posse will work with the county's SWAT team in the desert to fight against Mexican drug cartels.

Babeu said the posse won't cost anything to taxpayers. The posse will be staffed with volunteers with prior military and law enforcement training and experience.

"They are not given law enforcement authority to arrest, yet they can use up to and including lethal force," said Babeu.

All volunteers will have extensive background checks and tactical training.

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  • Abuse
    wrote...
    Here's a novel idea
    October 10, 2012 8:56 pm
    Instead of taking illegal immigrants to the border patrol, why not send them in a bus to the White House?
  • Abuse
    HWAGRIDER wrote...
    Democrats rejected
    October 11, 2012 4:20 am
    This idea because they are concerned the posse is untrained. These are ex military and law enforcement, who is better trained? Leave it to the democrats to reject something that is being done for free. Oh is it because they might stop future democrat voters heading north? As far as these posse members they know the risk they are taking.
  • Abuse
    Kevin in San Tan Valley wrote...
    Where do I sign up???
    October 11, 2012 6:18 am
    This is a FANTASTIC IDEA (seriously - I am saying this in all sincerity) Sheriff Babeu once again is showing foresight and excellent leadership in moving this idea forward. And yes - HWAGRIDER is totally correct in what is probably a 100% accurate statement: that the Democrats hate this idea because it will impact (negatively) the stream of illegal aliens...oops... I mean "future Democrat VOTERS".... SERIOUSLY - WHERE DO I SIGN UP TO BE A POSSE MEMBER ??? I have 15 years prior service (Army) and I consistently shot "expert" when qualifying every year with my M16... I'm just sayin......
  • Abuse
    lookout wrote...
    Why not
    October 11, 2012 6:28 am
    take them to the us. virgin islands and give them obamas phone number to call for help
  • Abuse
    lookout wrote...
    who can remember
    October 11, 2012 6:37 am
    that just a few years ago phoenix was a real nice place to live, a real clean city to live in and have your family safe from crime. Do you feel that way today? It's time to make some changes and go back to the way it was. Vote in november and send a message to washington that we want to take our country back and we want people in office that will look out for us and not the illegals.
  • Abuse
    lookout wrote...
    Just a note
    October 11, 2012 7:08 am
    to sheriffs Paul Babeu and Joe Arpaio, I want to thank you guys and your departments for having the balls to standup to washington to protect the citizens of our country. We can no longer expect the white house to do the job that they were elected to do. Keep up the good work and stay safe.
  • Abuse
    Michoacan wrote...
    Like his older brother, Arpaio, up north,
    October 11, 2012 8:30 am
    Pablito is plagued by mucho bad publicity from bad and questionable operations of his agency, and questions about his own integrity. Could hurt his election prospects. And like wrinkly Joe, Paul figures the best way to change the focus is by alarmist pandering to his base with resource wasting games.
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