Tucson Sector Special Operations Supervisor George Allen was keynote speaker at the June meeting of the local Citizens Advisory Board to the Border Patrol.

His duties put him at the head of Criminal Prosecution, Civil Prosecution (Asset Forfeiture), Administration, the Tucson Sector Coordination Center, and Transport.

He revealed that his Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act duties are centered on protecting the public from illegal seizure, which has been a problem in the past. If his staff receives abandoned documents that are obviously fraudulent, those items will likely be destroyed. Valid documents are returned to the issuing agency.

Data retrieved from tossed cell phones are forwarded to other agencies as indicated by the content. Allen’s unit interdicts and turns over evidence and arrestees to other agencies for investigation and prosecution.

Their strategy is to break up smuggling cycles, coordinate operations, fuse intelligence data, and focus on enhanced enforcement operations. Recent success has cut recidivism from 72 percent to 11 percent in the past 18 months.

The criminal element is made aware of the certainty of arrest and a related penalty. Some cases are referred to Mexican authorities under the Operation Alien Smugglers Initiative (OASIS) and have led to jail time in Mexico for the perpetrators. Other programs such as the Mexican Interior Repatriation Program, Quick Court, and Alien Transfer Exchange are also impacting border smuggling activities.

Allen’s team is generating 70 prosecutions per day on the way to a goal of 100 prosecutions per day. All of this is performed with an eye toward humanitarian concerns. Arresting and processing agents look for signs of illness or injury and seek medical attention as required.

Following Allen’s presentation and many questions from attendees, there were some sharp exchanges between CAB members regarding the dangers of marijuana and over concerns about a lack of proven programs to educate the public. One participant pointed out that marijuana is confirmed to be both delusional and “‘illusional.”

The next CAB meeting will be on July 14.