Yavapai County has been added to a federal program that provides assistance to state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies fighting drug trafficking.

Yavapai County was the 10th Arizona county added to the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program (HIDTA), which was enacted by Congress in 1988.

“Arizona's population continues to grow, which has led to a dramatic increase in Mexico-based drug trafficking organizations operating in Yavapai County,” said Arizona HIDTA Director Dawn Martz.

HIDTA officials said Yavapai first applied to be part of the program five years ago and was rejected, but applied again in May and was accepted.

“They're really taking a three-pronged approach of prevention, treatment and enforcement, and that's working here,” Gov. Katie Hobbs said.

HIDTA officials said the program gives counties access to a variety of resources, including information sharing with federal enforcement agencies and other local drug enforcement task forces, allowing them to collaborate across state lines, share case information and spot trends.

Law enforcement agencies across the county will also have access to an investigative support center and technical assistance for law enforcement and drug use prevention.

“Currently, Arizona HIDTA operates 26 efforts or task forces in nine counties, 23 of which are focused on disrupting or dismantling drug trafficking and money laundering organizations,” Mertz said. “Arizona HIDTA coordinates and supports the efforts of 655 full-time participants and 27 part-time participants from 83 local, state, federal and tribal agencies around Arizona.”

The Biden administration's announcement of the expansion: Republicans continue to criticize Biden and Vice President Harris For not doing enough to secure our southern border and eradicate illegal drug trafficking.

Dr. Rahul Gupta, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, noted that the majority of illegal drugs crossing the border pass through legal ports of entry and said the administration is taking steps to disrupt their movement.

“We're seizing record amounts of fentanyl at the border and we're going after the drug trafficking interests that are fueling this crisis,” Gupta said. “That includes the money of drug cartels, Chinese chemical companies, and the accountants, lawyers, brokers and real estate agents who enable drug trafficking. This is making a difference, folks.”

He quoted New Data Shows Sharp Decline in Overdose Deaths in the U.S.Arizona saw a 7.4% decrease.