Sheriff Paul Babeu announces anti-smuggling posse

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.