Human Contraband, Pot Residue, Whatever

Resourceful, equal-opportunity border patrol agents prove that they're not just after Mexicans who commit victimless crimes:

These days, the checkpoints on eastbound Interstate 8 and northbound Arizona 95 near Yuma (a passageway to the I-10 and I-40 corridors linking Arizona and California) are open 24 hours a day. And with the addition of seven times more K9 dogs, they have become the biggest weed traps in the country.

Drug-sniffing dogs at some of the checkpoints, especially the ones south of Tucson and through Texas, find literally tons of marijuana being smuggled from Mexico.

But the vast majority of people getting busted at checkpoints in Arizona near Yuma aren't smugglers or illegal immigrants. They aren't even big-shot partiers like Lil Wayne. They're just average people who happen to be carrying a smidgen of marijuana in their vehicles.

In other news, Yuma is considering a moat.

Comments

MP | March 18, 2008, 10:55am | #

In other news, Yuma is considering a moat.

I really thought you were joking...until I RTFA. Oh my!

Taktix® | March 18, 2008, 11:01am | #

In other news, Yuma is considering a moat.

Kerry, you win the internets for, at minimum, the remained of 2008.

By the way, is Yuma anywhere near Maricopa County?

When I see douchebaggery and Arizona together, I immediately think Sheriff Joe Arpaio. (At least for now, McCain's on the campaign trail).

Taktix® | March 18, 2008, 11:02am | #

That... should... be remainder...

P Brooks | March 18, 2008, 11:04am | #

The only reason I can think of to put a moat around Yuma would be if they wanted to keep the residents from leaving. What a shithole.

Warty | March 18, 2008, 11:08am | #

A moat. How about that.

JW | March 18, 2008, 11:08am | #

In other news, Yuma is considering a moat.

But, will they have taunting Frenchmen at the ramparts? I can't really see it being effective otherwise.

Oh crap, now they'll be protesting the jobs taken by snootty frogs.

troy | March 18, 2008, 11:09am | #

There used to be more of these little constitution free zones. There used to be some north of Bisbee, Sierra Vista, and Douglas, AZ.
I guess they need to money to dick around with potheads.

Andrew | March 18, 2008, 11:11am | #

By the way, is Yuma anywhere near Maricopa County?

Only in the global sense: Yuma County to Maricopa County.

David | March 18, 2008, 11:19am | #

I shudder to think of the cost of maintaining a moat in the desert.

Warren | March 18, 2008, 11:22am | #

"If we get just a pipe, they are getting written up," Schappell says. "If it's a seed, they are getting written up."

That's a typical example of drug war mentality. Your tax dollars at work. Could it get more pathetic... Wait don't answer that. What's it going to take for people to reject the drug war?

JW | March 18, 2008, 11:24am | #

In other news, Yuma is considering a moat.

And this will be totally effective since the Rio Grande has proven to be such an impenetrable water barrier.

KD | March 18, 2008, 11:27am | #

But, will they have taunting Frenchmen at the ramparts? I can't really see it being effective otherwise.

Nor will it be as effective with out at least one drawbridge.

And if Yuma County Sheriff Ogden really means "unique" by his statement: "It doesn't take much brainpower to build a 12-foot high fence around something, but this is unique." why not get serious about it: I believe that crocs and alligators can survive in Yuma county, and probably pirhanas (sp?).

Because sheriff, it does take a lot more brain power to maintain a freakin' moat in a freakin' desert! Forgive me though if you, or one of your relatives operates a construction company or something - then I get the "...brain power..." thing.

Taktix® | March 18, 2008, 11:37am | #

Global my fat toucass! They border each other!

The Wine Commonsewer | March 18, 2008, 11:47am | #

There used to be more of these little constitution free zones. There used to be some north of Bisbee, Sierra Vista, and Douglas, AZ.

Rest assured, they are still there. I like to drive the back roads and the last time I looped down out of Gila Bend through Ajo I was shocked at how many Green Border Patrol vehicles there were on that highway. In the space of an hour and a half I bet we counted 100 of them. On a weekday morning in the summer. Other than them, it was us. I was creeped out. It was almost scary, and I've never been scared of the BP here at home.

As to the checkpoint in Yuma? Been there, done that, it sucks.

Nick M. | March 18, 2008, 12:00pm | #

Let's clarify a few things here.

KD -- this "moat" is land that was originally a wetland/river. They are doing some modifications, but from what I understand, they are mainly returning it to it's orginal state.

Taktix -- While Maricopa County and Yuma County border each other, the only places that count (City of Yuma & City of Phoenix) are 3 hours apart.

JimmyChanga | March 18, 2008, 12:02pm | #

In other news, Yuma is considering a moat.

I really thought you were joking...until I RTFA. Oh my!

Just proves that y'all lack a real sense of Yuma.

The Wine Commonsewer | March 18, 2008, 12:04pm | #

Yes, Taxtix, Yuma County borders Maricopa County (home of Ernie Hancock) but not in any meaningful sense. There is nothing but miles of desolation between Yuma and Phoenix Metro that is mostly gunnery range and tank testing. Most of the county border is probably not even accessible on foot, dirt bike, or mule.

zig zag man | March 18, 2008, 12:13pm | #

It is obvious that the war on some drugs (southwestern theatre) is creating the illusion of doing something about drugs entering the country.

A couple of questions to directly cut to the true intended purpose of this current campaign.

1) While there is a mention of the vast amount of cannabis they are intercepting, how much cocaine, speed, immigrants are they catching?

2) Why are so many man hours being spent on small amounts of cannabis?

IMHO this policy is designed specifically to target responsible, non-violent cannabis users pot fiends. It is going according to plan.

/amount of drugs siezed at the border is not impacting supply, especially cocaine and speed, hmmm...

Kolohe | March 18, 2008, 12:15pm | #

Does anybody know what happened to that guy who had a website documenting his instance of civil disobedience at one of these checkpoints? He refused to cooperate - but entirely civilly and politely - was arrested, but was challenging the constitutionality of what happened as sort of a hobby.

I can't think of his name, so I am having a hard time googling it, but IIRC it happened in AZ and on an Indian reservation that started with a "T" (I think).

kinnath | March 18, 2008, 12:31pm | #

Let's clarify a few things here.

KD -- this "moat" is land that was originally a wetland/river. They are doing some modifications, but from what I understand, they are mainly returning it to it's orginal state.

What is really happening is that someone figured out how to suck from the federal teat to get "drug war" dollars to reclaim a wetlands that was being trashed by border jumpers.

I can't figure out whether it is more cynical to be disgusted at the use of federal dollar for the project or to be pleased that someone figured out how to fuck with the system.

Steve | March 18, 2008, 12:43pm | #

"If we get just a pipe, they are getting written up," Schappell says. "If it's a seed, they are getting written up."

That's a typical example of drug war mentality. Your tax dollars at work. Could it get more pathetic... Wait don't answer that. What's it going to take for people to reject the drug war?

Everything changed after 9-11. We need to fight the drug war in order to cut off the terrorists funding.

SuperMike | March 18, 2008, 1:27pm | #

I pledge to return Malaria to southern Arizona at minimal taxpayer expense!

Hugh | March 18, 2008, 1:34pm | #

The City Pages (mpls weekly) took out Lil Wayne by snitchin' on him.

LarryA | March 18, 2008, 1:36pm | #

In other news, Yuma is considering a moat.

I can’t wait to see the environmental impact study on the requisite monster.

GG | March 18, 2008, 1:57pm | #

Kolohe, you mean this guy?

Ganja Blue | March 18, 2008, 2:26pm | #

These "border" checkpoints are actually in the United States. These are essentially paramilitary troops policing citizens of the United States, as well as a few immigrants along the way. Here are videos documenting this outrage:

http://youtube.com/user/CheckpointUSA

Paul | March 18, 2008, 2:56pm | #

Papers please.

Innovate | March 18, 2008, 3:38pm | #

Put the moat around the border patrol station and they'll have my unbridled support.

(And I know how much that means!)

Randolph Carter | March 18, 2008, 4:33pm | #

Feds are retarded, they're watching the wrong border.

Kolohe | March 18, 2008, 5:04pm | #

Ah yes that's it. But the last time I saw it it was just the pages on 'the Tohono O'odham Roadblock Incident'.

Expanding it to Katrina response - and especially to those jackbboted thugs at the Census bureau - seems to me 'mission creep' that really detracts from his original unalloyed moral, legal, and factual high ground.

And there is a certain irony in him being a Ron Paul supporter, considering Paul's campaining on the immigration issue.

zig zag man | March 18, 2008, 5:56pm | #

"Put the moat around the border patrol station and they'll have my unbridled support."

Fill the moat with sharks (or ill tempered bass) with frickin' laser beams attached to their heads and I'm on board.

a snowboarder | March 19, 2008, 10:47am | #

Have you been to VT in the past five
years? There is a 'border' patrol
check point on 91S just below the 89
jct. This is at least 70 miles from
the border. They too would like to
run dogs around your car. So much
for catching the 'terrorists'.