Arizona AG launches webpage showing social media companies accused of facilitating crimes
A new webpage from the Arizona Attorney General's Office identifies social media companies accused of facilitating crimes like drug trafficking.
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PHOENIX — A new webpage launched by the Arizona Attorney General’s Office allows the public to learn about criminal cases social media companies are involved in.
The purpose of the page is to inform people about the way their favorite apps may be facilitating illegal activity, especially fentanyl trafficking, according to Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes.
As of Monday, the webpage lists indictments against the companies behind Instagram, Snapchat and Telegram.
New webpage identifies social media companies accused of facilitating drug trafficking
“For too long, social media companies have turned a blind eye to how their platforms are used by drug traffickers — especially to target young people,” Mayes said in a Monday news release. “We will call it out, case by case, and hold these companies publicly accountable.”
A 2023 study from the National Institute of Health found up to 13% of social media posts promote the sale of illegal drugs.
Furthermore, 80% of fentanyl poisoning deaths among teens and young adults can be traced to social media, according to the National Crime Prevention Council.
Mayes started the website because she believes Arizonans have a right to know when social media apps are accused of enabling crimes such as human trafficking, fraud, gang recruitment, drug trafficking and more.
“It’s about transparency,” Mayes said. “It’s about responsibility. And it’s about telling these companies: Arizona is watching.”
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Comments
7 Comments
I'd guess she knows a heck of a lot more about our border than you do, if you think it's "open".
Did you see that the demented felon is outraged because "all of a sudden, out of nowhere" the courts are saying that you have to have a hearing before you can drag somebody out of their house and deport them?
"Truth Social" should be very high on this list.
It is not the job of the Arizona Attorney General (AG) to make laws or directly enforce border security.
Border security is primarily a federal responsibility, managed by agencies like the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). However, the AG can take actions to prosecute crimes related to border issues and advocate for federal resources or policy changes.
AG Mayes emphasizes coordination with local, state, and federal law enforcement to combat trafficking networks. Her office collaborates with agencies such as the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Homeland Security to address human trafficking, drug trafficking, and related crimes.
One example:
In January 2025, AG Mayes announced the conviction of William Schlicher, a Phoenix man found guilty of child $ex trafficking and aggravated luring of a minor. This case involved a sting operation where Schlicher believed he was arranging to pay for $ex with a 13-year-old girl, who was actually an undercover officer. The prosecution was handled by the Attorney General’s Fraud and Special Prosecutions Unit.