see also: in September 2008:   Ramey Border Patrol Sector Sponsors Intelligence Training   CBP Arrests Woman at California Port after Discovering 3 Hidden Females   Laredo Sector Border Patrol Agents Rescue Lost Alien   Customs and Border Protection Warns Floral Importers About Unripe Poppy Pods   CBP Officers Arrest Man Wanted for Failing to Register as Sex Offender   El Paso CBP Officers Discover 3,000 Pounds of Marijuana in Shipment of Watermelons   CBP Seizes More Than $360,000 in Undeclared Currency ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

contacts for this news release

Yuma, Ariz. – Operation Stonegarden, a program funded by the Department of Homeland Security, has been a proactive law enforcement initiative assisting Yuma area agencies.

Under the auspices of the Operation Stonegarden initiative, the Cocopah Tribal Police Department received four Chevrolet four-wheel drive Tahoes equipped with advanced police equipment. These rugged police vehicles are equipped with mobile incident command centers, advanced communications equipment, hazardous material/first aid gear, and other sophisticated emergency systems.

With these vehicles, Cocopah Police officers have the capability of accessing remote areas situated near the U.S./Mexico border and assist the Border Patrol in delivering border security while protecting the Cocopah community.

In addition to providing other agencies essential law enforcement equipment, the Yuma Sector initiated Operation Stonegarden to enhance partnerships with local, state and tribal law enforcement agencies. Since its inception in 2004, the operation has provided an additional law enforcement presence in the Yuma area utilizing overtime funding provided by the Department of Homeland Security.

Now in its sixth iteration, Operation Stonegarden has become a cornerstone in the Yuma community supporting area agencies such as the Yuma Police Department, the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office, the Wellton Police Department, Quechan Tribal Police, and Cocopah Tribal Police.

Operation Stonegarden has been and continues to be very successful in providing increased law enforcement presence in the Yuma area. As the Yuma Sector continues to gain more successes in border security, the participating agencies in Operation Stonegarden are able to increase enforcement efforts and reduce crime in our community which in turn provides a better quality of life.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.