An Arizona task force is being created to assist federal and local authorities in combating Mexican cartels at the southern border.

Democrat Gov. Katie Hobbs on Tuesday signed an executive order that creates a joint task force to expand border security operations in the state’s four border counties.

Calling the initiative Operation Desert Guardian (ODG) – reminiscent of Texas GOP Gov. Greg Abbott’s Operation Lone Star launched in 20221 – Hobbs said the task force will “combat the cartels, stop drug smuggling and human trafficking, and secure Arizona’s border.”

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