2006 Indian Country Report |
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Dear Friends and Colleagues: It has been a busy year for the U.S. Attorney's Office and our law enforcement partners. Arizona continues to have one of the highest caseloads in the nation. We are annually tasked with defending the United States in civil actions, prosecuting border crimes, including drug and human smuggling from across the international border, crimes prohibited by the Major Crimes Act in Arizona's Indian Country, white collar fraud crimes and terrorism related offenses. Our successful prosecution rates are directly attributed to the professional investigations of the Arizona tribal, state and federal law enforcement agencies that refer these matters to our office. It also greatly depends on the individual citizens of Arizona who come forward to report criminal acts, who cooperate with investigators and who are willing to testify in public court proceedings. This is an often overlooked aspect of what makes any criminal justice system work - individuals who are willing to do their part to secure justice for crimes committed in their communities. For example, many Arizona Indian Tribal leaders have asked for assistance from federal law enforcement agencies to combat the insurgence of methamphetamine into their communities because they recognize the connection between methamphetamine and crime. I commend these leaders and tribal police chiefs for taking a proactive role in securing the safety of their communities and citizens. And I applaud the federal agencies, including the DEA, FBI and BIA, for participating in this effort. Working together, I am confident that we can curb the importation of this dangerous drug into Indian Country and perhaps save individual lives in the process. I look forward to seeing the results of our continuous working relationship. Sincerely yours, PAUL K. CHARLTON
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