Cochise County, Arizona (KGUN) — People smuggling is a big problem in southern Arizona, with drivers as young as 13.

The Cochise County Sheriff’s Department said the issue at the border has become a public safety and humanitarian issue for the community.

“How often do you see it, roadside folks?” asked Sheriff Mark Dunnells during the ride-along.

“Better than anyone else,” he replied.

Patrolling the streets of Cochise County, seeing two immigrants by the side of the road is an ordinary day.

Jordan Kallop

“You’re looking at $2,500 per person to drive from my county to Maricopa county. That’s per person. So get three or four and see how lucrative it is for young minds.” Let’s see,” said Sheriff Dunnels.

Drivers range in age from 70s to 13, and social media is the newest way to target teens online.

Sheriff Mark Dunnells

“We know that social media is the primary platform for recruitment, especially from young people to adults,” said Sheriff Dunnells.

Sheriff Mark Dunnells

This is a real-world example of how sheriffs can promise drivers a safe route and get quick cash on KGUN 9’s Snapchat.

Sheriff Dunnells said the post was created by a cartel with many young people chewing the bait.

“A 16-year-old boy is currently in prison for murder.

An incident crosses his mind…

“A 16-year-old boy who was a smuggler’s driver escaped from his agent. The speed was so reckless that he dropped his involvement because of the risk to the community. After 30 miles, He drove through a red light at deadly speed and killed her.

“He killed his mother going to her birthday party.”

It usually starts like this: driving too slow or too fast.

“That’s how these cars come out of there,” said Sheriff Dunnels.

Of the more than 1,300 smuggling incidents in Cochise County last year, 89 drivers were under the age of 18.

“I’ve seen good things, bad things, and ugly things, but this is the ugliest thing, and this is defined by the magnitude of the problem we’re seeing.

Every time he opens the trunk, there is an expectation that someone is inside.

“They treat people like cargo. There’s something wrong with that.”

“The tragedy that we see is that a 7-year-old is stuck in the back of a car. The car is going 100 miles an hour. She’s crying. Come on,” said Sheriff Dunnels.

“Is it hard to pull someone over for trafficking? And do you see how young they are?” I asked.

“It hurts. It hurts to see how one bad decision can change a young person’s life. And if I can stop it before they get it, I will,” he replied. rice field.