PHOENIX — Attorney General Kris Mayes today renewed her call for the Trump administration to immediately provide additional federal resources to help Arizona combat the Mexican drug cartels and the fentanyl crisis and blasted out of state politicians for traveling to Arizona for meaningless photo-ops.
“Out of state Republican attorneys general and Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen can travel to the border for meaningless photo-ops all they want—but until local and state law enforcement is given the resources they need to prosecute the criminals responsible for drug trafficking, Arizonans will continue to pay the price,” said Attorney General Mayes.
Two months ago, Attorney General Mayes sent a letter to DEA Acting Administrator Derek Maltz outlining a series of urgent requests—including the restoration of critical DEA funding, the addition of 50 DEA agents in Arizona, and support for expanded High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) funding. Despite the clear and ongoing threat to public safety, none of these requests have been fulfilled.
"DEA agents are essential partners in our fight against cartel-driven drug trafficking. But Arizona has fewer agents than states like New York and Florida, despite being the front line of this crisis. That must change," Mayes continued. “Stopping illegal border crossings is critical—but it’s just one piece of the puzzle. If the Trump administration is serious about protecting Arizonans, they’ll fulfill these urgently needed requests for additional DEA agents and funding,"
In her March 11 letter to Acting Administrator Maltz, Attorney General Mayes warned that Arizona is being overwhelmed by the trafficking operations of Mexican cartels. Since Mayes took office, the Attorney General’s office has prosecuted cases involving nearly 22 million fentanyl pills and over 175 pounds of fentanyl powder—enough to kill more than 39 million people.
“Arizona is the fentanyl funnel for the United States. More than half of all fentanyl seized nationwide comes through our state, and yet the federal government still hasn’t responded to our repeated calls for more resources,” she continued. “While illegal border crossings have dropped significantly, fentanyl and other drugs are still flowing through legal ports of entry. We need additional resources—now—to interdict that flow and save lives.”
Mayes also emphasized that her office continues to invest in statewide anti-fentanyl strategies, including the hiring of a Fentanyl Strategist and coordinating with local, tribal, and federal partners as well as passing legislation to allow local law enforcement to shoot down cartel drones. But she said Arizona cannot do it alone.
“Arizona families are losing loved ones every single day to this poison,” said Mayes. “My office is doing everything in its power, but it’s past time for the federal government to step up and give Arizona the tools we need to address this crisis and fight the drug cartels.”
The Attorney General’s original letter can be found below.
