Terry Goddard Signs Historic Bi-National Agreement

(Phoenix, Ariz. — August 18, 2008) Attorney General Terry Goddard today announced an agreement with Sonoran Attorney General Abel Murrieta Gutiérrez to combat border crime through improved information sharing and investigative partnerships between Arizona and Sonora law enforcement. Goddard traveled to Hermosillo on August 15 to sign the historic agreement, which takes the form of a memorandum of understanding between the two states.

“We have achieved an unprecedented level of cooperation between U.S. and Mexican law enforcement in the past year,” Goddard said. “By sharing information and technical expertise as well as partnering in criminal investigations, we are strategically fighting back against the smugglers operating along our border. Together, we are committed to wiping out these violent, criminal syndicates.”

Goddard signed a similar agreement with Baja California Attorney General Rommel Moreno Manjarrez in Seattle on July 29. Earlier this month, Goddard finished a one-year term as Chair of the Conference of Western Attorneys General.

A copy of the Arizona – Sonora and Arizona – Baja California agreements are available on the Attorney General’s Web site, www.azag.gov . For more information, please contact Anne Hilby at (602) 542-8019.

Agreement508.21 KB