And while Obama prepares to Sue AZ:Drug cartel issues threat to off-duty Nogales police officers

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By Jonathan Clark

Nogales International

Published Friday, June 18, 2010 7:13 PM CDT

A Mexican drug cartel has threatened Nogales police officers, saying they will be targeted for retribution if they conduct off-duty drug busts.

Nogales Police Chief Jeffrey Kirkham told the Nogales International on Friday that the threats stemmed from an incident approximately two weeks ago, when off-duty officers surprised marijuana smugglers while riding horseback in an unincorporated border area east of town.

The officers seized part of the drug load, and the smugglers were able to flee back into Mexico with the other part.

"As a result of that," Kirkham said, "our officers have received threats from the cartel that they are to look the other way if they are off-duty, or they will be targeted by a sniper or by other means."

NPD learned of the threats through informants, he said.

Following the threats, Kirhkam said, NPD notified the Border Patrol and other federal law enforcement agencies, which responded by stepping up manpower and surveillance in the area where the off-duty bust occurred.

In addition, Kirkham met with his officers to advise them of the threats and to authorize them to take precautions, including wearing firearms while off duty.

Better make sure it's an automatic weapon with a grenade launcher

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