Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs signed the executive order on Tuesday, and she said she would establish a joint task force to direct three state departments to expand border security in four border counties, including Yuma.

Gov. Hobbes’ orders direct departments of the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs, Public Safety and Homeland Security to create a task force called Operation Guardian of the Desert.

The task force aims to partner with sheriffs, including local law enforcement agencies, Yuma County Sheriff Leon Wilmott and the federal government, to disrupt cross-border criminal organizations in Yuma, Pima, Santa Cruz and Cochese counties.

In a released statement, Hobbs said, “We are proud to launch Operation Guardian in the Desert to fight the cartels, to stop drug smuggling and human trafficking, and to secure the Arizona border.”

The task force aims to “identify and mitigate security vulnerabilities in the event of border-related crime committed by TCOs by dismantling supply chains and operating networks, and combat border-related crimes committed by TCOS by dismantling supply chains and operating networks.”

Gov. Hobbs said Operation Desert Guardian will be funded by leveraging a portion of the state’s $28 million balance.

The announcement comes when he tells KAWC that the border is relatively quiet, with the Chief of Justin De Latore, Yumasector’s Border Patrol, where dozens of immigrant arrests are daily.

Gov. Hobbs is in Yuma County on Thursday, when the Western Arizona Entrepreneurial College will enter Welton’s new manufacturing accelerator facility.

Hobbs heads to the Uma Civic Center for a national speech.

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Stay tuned to KAWC for the latest news from Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs.