The ongoing crisis at the southern border of the United States has transformed Cochise County, Arizona, into a perilous thoroughfare for drug and human trafficking activities, frequently involving Americans, including teenagers. These individuals are recruited by cartels through social media channels.
Sheriff Mark Dannels of Cochise County shared that they have apprehended over a hundred juveniles in the past 18 months, some as young as 12 or 13, who have been involved in smuggling activities. These young individuals have been caught driving vehicles belonging to family members or friends. Sheriff Dannels attributed the rise in such cases to the influence of social media.
To address this escalating issue, Arizona implemented stringent legislation targeting felony human smuggling last year. Of the more than 400 individuals arrested under this law since its implementation, Sheriff Dannels noted that the majority are American citizens who came from outside Cochise County.