By admin 
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – A criminal task force arrested dozens of people in Arizona last week as part of Operation Desert Guardian, an effort targeting criminal networks operating along the state’s border.
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13 News reporter Payton May joined state troopers as they made the arrests.
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs established Operation Desert Guardian in February 2025. The joint task force brings law enforcement agencies across the state together to target illegal drug smuggling and human trafficking.
Lt. Col. Daven Byrd, Arizona DPS Highway Patrol Division Chief, described the goal of the operation.
“The effort is really focused on improving quality of life in our communities, protecting our communities, and making Arizona a safe place to live,” Byrd said.
Troopers make arrests during operation
Troopers chased a man on a bicycle Friday night after he refused to pull over. They took him into custody for running from law enforcement and having drug paraphernalia.
It was one of a few arrests made late Friday night during Operation Desert Guardian.
“So the cartels, organized crime groups that are bringing in illegal weapons, illegal drugs, and they’re conducting human trafficking operations,” Byrd said.
Troopers made contact with people believed to be using or distributing illicit drugs in southern Arizona.
During one stop, an officer identified items found on a person. “So this is the stem of a meth pipe, this is the bowl, this is what they usually stick the meth in,” the officer said.
“He does have some on him, so therefore that’s a felony to be in possession of narcotic drugs or dangerous drugs,” an officer said.
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Officers check for gang affiliations
Officer K. Bowers, with DPS’ Strategic Priority Squad, said the goal is to not only get drugs off the streets but to pinpoint where they’re coming from.
During one stop, officers checked a person’s tattoos to see if he was affiliated with any gangs.
Some offenders were taken into custody, and others will serve as informants.
Byrd said it’s part of the agency’s strategy to address violent crime as a team with other law enforcement agencies.
“So what you see is this much higher level of intelligence sharing, information sharing, training and information resource sharing across the state between our local partners and us,” Byrd said.
Seizures and arrests this year
In southern Arizona alone, troopers have seized more than 60 weapons and 400 pounds of drugs, and made approximately 1,200 arrests this year.
As Operation Desert Guardian enters its second year, Byrd said he wants to add to those totals.
“It’s not only the mission to make our community safer, but everybody that lives here should feel safer,” Byrd said.
Bowers said getting drugs off the street can prevent accidental exposure.
“If we’re able to get some drugs off the street, potentially save a child’s life who may pick it up and think that it’s candy and take it, that’s a win for me,” Bowers said.
DPS conducts these late-night operations once a month, but state troopers with the strategic priority squad said they do this work around the clock.
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