In Florence on Monday, August 14, a United States Congressman was able to witness firsthand the mountain of evidence associated with the war on drugs in rural Arizona.
Congressman Rick Renzi visited briefly with county officials at the Pinal County Courthouse before heading over to the Sheriff’s Office where he met with Sheriff Chris Vasquez and received a brief tour, which included demonstrations by the Narcotics Task Force, the K-9 Unit and the Pinal County SWAT Team.
Renzi, a Republican and Sheriff Vasquez, a Democrat, see no party affiliation when it comes to the war on methamphetamine and its devastating effect on Arizona’s rural communities. Putting party affiliations aside, Sheriff Vasquez and Congressman Renzi, a member of the Congressional Caucus to Fight and Control Methamphetamine, have joined forces in the methamphetamine war.
Last year Renzi secured $1 million in federal funds, with $150,000
specifically designated for Pinal County, in an effort to combat methamphetamine by providing law enforcement with the tools necessary to fight the battle against a drug that has become an epidemic.
“Dealing with the methamphetamine epidemic is not about politics,” said Sheriff Vasquez, “It’s about bringing prevention and the law enforcement services needed to keep our communities safe.”
The Sheriff gave Renzi a tour of the armory and visually brought the reality of the war against drugs into evidence, providing Renzi with a firsthand look at the tons of illegal drugs seized by the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office. Renzi was shown over seven tons of marijuana, bricks of cocaine and bags of the tiny crystals of methamphetamine that are the enemy in his fight against the highly addictive drug.
Sheriff Chris Vasquez (left) shows Congressman Rick Renzi the large storehouse of illegal drugs seized by his department.
Following the indoor tour, Renzi was led outside to witness a display of weapons and a 1,000-pound cache of marijuana. The congressman was also shown the narcotics team’s undercover vehicle and the SWAT Armored Personnel Carrier (APC).
Congressman Renzi (right), with Sheriff Vasquesz, also had the opportunity to meet some of the personnel actually involved in the war against drugs.
Then drug sniffing K-9, Fazo, demonstrated his skills in suspect takedowns and sniffing out drugs, and the SWAT team re-enacted an extraction maneuver, which included the detonation of a “flash-bang” ordinance. Following the demonstrations, Renzi was given the opportunity to experience detonating a “flash-bang” ordinance himself, with assistance from the sheriff and SWAT.
After examining the department’s Armored Personnel Carrier (APC), Renzi announced to Sheriff Vasquez that he had arranged for the department to receive approximately $250,000 for the purchase of a new APC. The current APC was purchased as military surplus over five years ago and is experiencing mechanical problems. Sheriff Vasquez said he has been working for over a year with various sources to obtain funding for a new APC. It will take about a year for the new APC to arrive once it has been ordered.
“I’m honored to be a part of this,” Renzi said. “You guys deserve it.”
Before heading to his next appearance, Renzi thanked the law enforcement officers for their dedication and sacrifice in protecting him, his children and the citizens of Pinal County.
The Sheriff expressed his appreciation for Renzi’s support saying, “Rick (Renzi), has done more for Pinal County than any other elected official at the federal level. For that, Rick has my deepest respect.”
