With Arizona emerging as a key battleground in the fight against transnational crime, police agencies must work together, employing a comprehensive and collaborative response. Crime syndicates are complex global networks of individuals organized to engage in illegal activity, often causing serious threats to public safety and law enforcement. Arizona’s position as a vital hub for these networks makes it important to investigate what has already worked to counter this emerging menace. An ecosystem approach is an effective working relationship among local, state, county, and federal agencies that provides the basis for an equitable and coordinated police effort, as evidenced by initiatives currently in place in Arizona to proactively address transnational crime and the increasing cybercrime threat.
Arizona’s Operation Desert Guardian Initiatives
Arizona’s Operation Desert Guardian is proof of the power of police coordination to combat illegal activity in one of the state’s toughest environments—the wide-open desert is often used by criminals trying to evade detection by the police. Created as a tactical deployment program, Desert Guardian coordinates certain law enforcement resources such as county sheriffs, federal agents, and local police units to carry out joint operations and share intelligence. This is a proactive measure hitting smuggling trails, human smuggling pathways, and drug trafficking routes before the traffickers make it across the United States and disseminate their smuggled goods.
“Joint training exercises and workshops to improve the skills and knowledge of U.S. and Mexican authorities guarantee their preparedness for diverse and changing threats”
Counter-drug operations conducted in 2024 resulted in the seizure of approximately 6,500 pounds of illegal narcotics in the first six months, ultimately leading to a year-end total of nearly 15,000 pounds seized. These operations also included the arrests of numerous individuals connected to transnational criminal organizations.1 These achievements were driven by advanced surveillance strategies, such as drone technology, satellite imagery, and intelligence developed through community partnerships with residents and businesses. These layered efforts have strengthened law enforcement’s ability to dismantle criminal networks and disrupt large-scale drug trafficking operations.
Counter-drug operations conducted in 2024 netted more than 15,000 pounds of illegal narcotics and the arrests of numerous high-profile individuals associated with transnational crime organizations.2 These successes relied on advanced surveillance methods, tapping into drone footage, satellite imagery, and sources on the ground provided by community partnerships with humanitarian groups providing resources, as well as the distribution of Narcan. These wide-ranging measures mean operations are multilayered, ensnaring criminals in increasingly tight nets.
In addition, the continuing success of Desert Guardian relies on its ability to adapt dynamically to new challenges. The initiative is to stay ahead of criminal enterprises by continuously improving its methodologies derived from up-to-date intelligence. Desert Guardian, launched by Governor Katie Hobbs, is a visionary initiative that leverages predictive analytics and artificial intelligence to predict criminal movements and establish patterns ahead of potential threats, setting a precedent for effectively guarding against transnational crime in at-risk regions.
Overall, Desert Guardian’s actions highlight the need for a holistic ecosystem approach to policing. This lays the groundwork for stronger collaboration at different tiers of government and law enforcement agencies, and it is a template for replication in areas with similar challenges. Given the ever-evolving strategies employed by organized crime, having a versatile but cohesive approach is crucial to ensure public security and reinforce communities’ faith in law enforcement efforts.
NIBIN and Ballistic Forensics
The National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) is an invaluable tool for linking and disrupting transnational crime organizations within Arizona. NIBIN is managed by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). This ballistic database system allows local police agencies to share information about ballistic evidence recovered from crime scenes to connect gun-related cases. This is an essential capability in Arizona, an area where guns are a common tool of the trade for organized crime syndicates involved in drug trafficking, human smuggling, and violent crime.3
A particularly notable impact of NIBIN in Arizona came in 2018 when ballistic evidence connected a string of shooting homicides. By using ballistic technologies to match shell casings and bullet fragments seized from multiple crime scenes, NIBIN yielded crucial leads that permitted police investigators to link up pieces of the puzzle, ultimately leading to the arrest of Cleophus Cooksey Jr. Cooksey is accused of committing nine homicides involving handguns.4
Moreover, NIBIN has been shown to aid not just in solving Cooksey’s crimes, but also in predicting future threats. Based on the ballistic data, the system’s analytical tools can spot patterns and trends, helping police agencies identify potential hot spots for future criminal activity. For instance, clusters of ballistic matches in particular border regions have led to proactive patrols and surveillance operations in these high-risk areas, preventing further crimes and safeguarding vulnerable communities.
The new approach in advanced ballistic forensics also ensures a third critical result—accountability. By providing clear associations between guns and individual crimes, NIBIN helps strengthen cases against those committing such acts, raising the prospect of successful prosecutions. This is particularly crucial in the realm of transnational crime, as prosecuting key individuals can disrupt the network and help put transnational criminal organizations out of business.
Fundamentally, NIBIN is another example of an ecosystem approach where police resources across multiple agencies are combined into a cohesive, data-driven strategy. It shows how the use of technology and interagency cooperation can expand the reach and effectiveness of the police in eliminating complex criminal organizations. NIBIN stands as a stalwart ally in the battle against transnational crime, offering far-reaching and lasting advantages in ensuring community safety and delivering justice.
Cross-Border Collaboration
Arizona’s ecosystem model for addressing transnational crime focuses on collaborative efforts across borders. Because of the state’s geographical location and shared border with Mexico, it is imperative that U.S. and Mexican law enforcement agencies work together.
One of the most successful examples of cross-border collaboration happened in 2020 during Operation Diablo Express. The organized crime investigation, a joint operation of U.S. Homeland Security Investigations and the Mexican Federal Police, culminated in the dismantling of a significant drug trafficking organization on both sides of the border. The operation led to the seizure of more than 10,000 pounds of drugs, including methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin, as well as 75 arrests. Because of the regular sharing of intelligence, the joint investigations and the coordinated enforcement actions ensure the criminal networks lose their functional capacity to act.5
Furthermore, collaborative efforts across borders include the engagement of local communities and public education processes to address human trafficking as a multidimensional phenomenon. Institution-building programs, like the Arizona-Mexico Commission, create avenues for the state, through government leaders and police leaders, to hold frank dialogues with community leaders to build mutual agreement. These stakeholders understand local concerns and ensure that border security measures are taken with the highest degree of congruity with affected communities.
Cross-border collaboration is greatly facilitated by technology and sharing information. Real-time information sharing and joint planning of operations in facilities such as the Bi-National Criminal Operations Working Group help facilitate the collaboration between U.S. and Mexican law enforcement offices. Such coordination is critical in tracking and intercepting illicit activities that may be spread across jurisdictions and need immediate and coordinated response.
Training and capacity-building initiatives are another vital element of cross-border collaboration. Joint training exercises and workshops to improve the skills and knowledge of U.S. and Mexican authorities guarantee their preparedness for diverse and changing threats. In other cases, U.S. funding has facilitated specialized training for Mexican law enforcement in cybercrime, human trafficking, and narcotics interdiction, increasing the capacity of the entire region to secure itself against these threats.
Finally, cross-border collaboration illustrates the ecosystem approach by bringing different stakeholders together in one collective fight against transnational crime. Both U.S. and police agencies can effectively respond to the complex problems presented by criminal organizations operating across the border through joint operations, shared information, community participation, and capacity building. The result is a framework that benefits not just the immediate effectiveness of police efforts but also the long-term safety and stability in the region.
The Pressing Issue of Cybercrime
With the rise of globalization, cybercrime has a significant element of transnational organized crime, and police agencies in Arizona and elsewhere are facing new challenges. As cybercriminal organizations become more sophisticated, the threat landscape has exploded, with criminal actors stealing identities, committing financial fraud, deploying ransomware, and stealing data. These crimes result in significant financial losses and also erode public trust in digital infrastructures and institutions.
The notorious cybercrime example here is the 2021 Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack that illustrated the point that critical infrastructure can be vulnerable to cyberattacks and that all industries need to take proper security precautions.6 Attacks like these have likewise been aimed at Arizona’s health care, education, and government services. For example, as recently as in 2023, cyberattacks disrupted the payroll of 4,500 employees across 14 school districts in Pinal County7—and the Tucson Unified School District was hit with a ransomware attack, causing alarm and calls for improved cybersecurity measures.
“AI-based predictive policing systems can predict potential crime hot spot locations by analyzing past crime reports, social media activity, and other pertinent data sources.”
Transnational criminal organizations exploit the anonymity and reach of digital platforms to carry out illicit acts of organized crime. Using malware, phishing, and social engineering, these groups steal individual data to compromise bank accounts and other financial transactions. Cybercriminals typically launder their proceeds through complex intermediary networks, making it very difficult for the police to identify and follow the financial flow.
With that in mind, and in keeping with its ecosystem approach, Arizona has taken steps to counter cybercrime more effectively. The Arizona Cyber Threat Response Alliance (ACTRA) is one of the successful collaborative efforts that has brought police agencies, private sector partners, and academic institutions together to share threat intelligence and best practices. ACTRA functions as a regional center for information sharing, allowing for immediate collaboration and response to dynamic cyberthreats. By sharing threat intelligence, the alliance has become a powerful tool for detecting and defending against cyberattacks and training and equipping its members to better secure their environments against such attacks.
U.S. federal agencies, including the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security help state and local agencies fight cybercrime. The Internet Crime Complaint Center and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency also offer crucial resources, including threat intelligence, technical assistance, and investigative support to enhance states’ capacity to fight cyberthreats.
As cybercrimes increase in volume and complexity, many of the transnational crime trends in Arizona—and in all areas—need to be combated via engaged and multifaceted approaches. Utilizing relationships, intelligence, and modernization, police agencies must play a proactive role in tackling the ever-evolving threat of cybercrime. This joint subprocess is essential to protecting digital infrastructures, safeguarding sensitive data, and preserving public trust in the digital economy.
The Role of Technology in Transnational Crime Detection
Technology has become critical in detecting and preventing transnational crime in Arizona, providing police professionals with the tools to combat complex and evolving threats. The use of sophisticated tools, namely artificial intelligence (AI), big data analytics, and surveillance systems, is altering the methods used to monitor, analyze, and interdict criminal endeavors. Such technological advancements offer police the tools to combat advanced crime syndicates and protect the public.
AI and machine learning algorithms have been proven to be game changers in detecting and predicting crimes. They can also process large volumes of data faster, allowing police agencies to detect patterns and anomalies that may indicate criminal activities. For example, AI-based predictive policing systems can predict potential crime hot spot locations by analyzing past crime reports, social media activity, and other pertinent data sources. This allows police agencies to strategically deploy resources to prevent crimes before they happen and to target their prevention and enforcement efforts effectively.
Big data analytics is also pivotal in improving situational awareness and execution. Police officers who utilize installed surveillance footage, social media, financials, and much more can gather data from various sources and use them to gain insight into crime suspects. For instance, through data analytics tools, linkages between various criminal entities can be established, hidden trends can be revealed, and actionable intelligence for investigations can be obtained. Big data analytics has been crucial in exposing complex drug trafficking networks and human smuggling operations, resulting in significant arrests and disruptions of criminal enterprises.
“The public needs to engage with and support the police to share intelligence, enhance crime prevention in their communities, and provide information about recent trends, including signs of extremist ideas and mobilization.”
Sources for the data include video surveillance systems, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones), and other surveillance technology that can be deployed in sensitive areas to provide real-time situational awareness. Moreover, high-definition cameras with advanced facial recognition capabilities can be implemented to identify and follow individuals of interest. At the same time, UAVs are adept at traversing large and rugged areas (like U.S. border regions) to identify illegal acts. For instance, UAVs deployed along the Arizona-Mexico border are used to detect smuggling operations, enabling police to stop illicit drugs and contraband from entering the United States.
In addition, cybersecurity technologies are critical for protecting against the increasing threat of cybercrime. Cybersecurity tools such as advanced threat detection systems, IDPS (intrusion detection and prevention systems), and encryption technologies assist in securing critical infrastructures and sensitive data against cyberattacks. Police agencies also use digital forensics tools to investigate cybercrimes, trace attack vectors, and gather evidence to assist prosecutions. Such technologies allow authorities to respond to cyber incidents promptly, limit the extent of damage, and boost the resilience of the overall digital ecosystem.
Looking forward, technical contributions to detecting and combating transnational crimes cannot be overstated. AI, big data analytics, surveillance systems, and cybersecurity technologies have woven new threads into the fabric of policing, arming it with the means to fight increasingly sophisticated and adaptive criminal threats. These technologies can help police agencies bolster their capabilities, inform better decisions, and protect the safety and security of communities from the threat of transnational crime.
Collaborative Training and Capacity Building
The ecosystem approach in Arizona to combat transnational crime emphasizes collaborative training and capacity building. Effective policing requires an understanding that new threats will need a different approach than ones before them and preparation for what lies ahead. This means investing in people and cultivating a culture of inclusion with partners. Collaborative training programs and capacity-building initiatives ensure that officers are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge while fostering a coordinated and cohesive response to transnational crime.
In Arizona, for example, one major training ground is the Arizona Counter Terrorism Information Center (ACTIC), which functions similarly to a fusion center where intelligence and information can be shared. ACTIC offers specialized courses to train officers on counterterrorism, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and cybercrime. The exercises provide opportunities for local, state, federal, and tribal police agencies to work together to exchange knowledge and learn from one another. Attending these training opportunities allows officers to deepen their understanding of emerging threats and formulate counteracting strategies.
Additionally, capacity-building activities are not limited to conventional police training. Leadership development, community policing, and cultural competence programs are critical components in establishing the skills needed to develop trust and positive relationships with local communities. The public needs to engage with and support the police to share intelligence, enhance crime prevention in their communities, and provide information about recent trends, including signs of extremist ideas and mobilization. Community policing initiatives that engage community-based organizations, local businesses, and residents foster a network of support and cooperation that can lead to safer neighborhoods and more effective crime prevention strategies.
U.S. federal agencies like the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) and the Office of Justice Programs are also contributing to training and capacity-building efforts. Through grants, support programs, and specialized training initiatives, these agencies work to augment the skills and capacities of police personnel. For example, FLETC provides specialized training on advanced investigative methods, tactics, and crisis management—all vital skills for combating transnational crime.
Investing in continued development, building bonds, and encouraging community partnership with other agencies will increase effectiveness and improve coordinated, unified, comprehensive action against criminal threats. Such efforts are part of the broader objective of maintaining public safety, protecting communities, and preserving the rule of law in the face of transnational crime.
Conclusion
Finally, combating transnational crime must rely heavily upon collaboration between local, state, county, tribal, and federal agencies. Arizona’s Operation Desert Guardian, NIBIN, cross-border collaboration efforts, activities to thwart cybercrime, crime detection technology, and collaborative training and capacity building all contribute to an ecosystem-based approach to policing. All are vital to the formation of a strong front against the complex dangers presented by transnational criminal organizations.
The successful Desert Guardian operation demonstrates how collaboration can address a criminal problem in an adverse landscape. The initiative has seen tremendous successes in interdicting smuggling paths and bringing down criminal networks by strategically deploying available law enforcement assets and innovative technologies. Likewise, NIBIN’s ballistic forensics capabilities have been critical for correlating firearms with particular crimes, completing investigative efforts, and preparing strong prosecutions to hold offenders accountable.
Collaboration is a cornerstone of Arizona’s approach to combating transnational crime, and the entire state is united in cross-border coordination with Mexican law enforcement agencies. Operation Diablo Express highlights successful international cooperation and collaboration as a demonstration of action that verifies the role of sharing intelligence to effectively police cross-border crimes. These collaborative efforts are further bolstered by community involvement and public awareness campaigns.
With the increasing prevalence of cybercrime, it has become imperative to strengthen cybersecurity solutions and efforts like ACTRA. Arizona can also combat the changing threats cybercriminal organizations pose by utilizing partnerships, cyberthreat intelligence, and training programs.
Technology plays an essential role in augmenting the skills of police personnel. These may include tools such as AI, big data analytics, surveillance systems, and cybersecurity technologies for crime detection, prediction, and prevention. Strategic use of such technologies ensures that the police stay ahead of criminal enterprises that can afford to harness cutting-edge technology for their nefarious purposes.
Finally, the technical aspects of policing, such as firearms training and protective measures, can often be used in a more collaborative approach to the joint threat of organized crime; the prevailing wisdom is to protect and equip personnel so they can deal with the most advanced threats. Transnational crime is increasingly becoming a cross-jurisdictional issue for police agencies worldwide, and it is critical to integrate local and global efforts to explore both the tremendous opportunities presented by technology and the ever-growing challenges faced by society.
In conclusion, Arizona’s comprehensive response to transnational crime demonstrates the impact of cooperation and ingenuity. The inclusion of various resources, the development of partnerships, and the embrace of wide-ranging technologies will enable police agencies to build a resilient, adaptive ecosystem that can counter the challenges posed by transnational criminal organizations. This ecosystem fortifies public safety and strengthens the foundation of justice and the rule of law in the face of emerging criminal challenges. d
Notes:
1Arizona Department of Public Safety, “Arizona DPS Reports Major Drug Seizures and Arrests in 2024,” press release, February 2025.
2Camryn Sanchez, “Fentanyl Pill Seizures Rose Exponentially in Arizona Over the Past Several Years,” KJZZ, February 11, 2025.
3“National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN),” fact sheet (Washington, DC: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, 2025).
4Megan Cassidy, “Phoenix Police Link 9 Murders Within Hours Using In-House Technology,” The Arizona Republic, January 18, 2018.
5Astrid Galvan, “Cross-Border Sting Nets Arrest Of Sinaloa Cartel Members,” Associated Press, January 31, 2016.
6Jen Easterly and Tom Fanning, “The Attack On Colonial Pipeline: What We’ve Learned & What We’ve Done Over the Past Two Years,” CISA Blog, May 7, 2023.
7Ford Hatchett, “Payroll Issues: Ransomware Attack Impacts 21 Pinal County School Districts,” ABC15, updated September 30, 2023.
Please cite as
Jeff Glover, “Forging a United Front: Arizona’s Ecosystem Approach to Transnational Crime,” Police Chief Online, September 03, 2025.
