There are many areas in the Chiricahuas, especially on the east side of the mountains, where visitor safety maybe a concern.

There is an ever-increasing problem from the smuggling of people (illegals) and drugs from Mexico in many areas popular with tourists, birders, hikers and campers in the Chiricahuas (this is especially true in the Cave Creek Canyon area on the east side of the Chiricahuas near Portal and the vicinity of Paradise). Smugglers are becoming increasingly bold and daring. They are now engaging in their illegal activities in areas that are popular with visitors. A number of residences in the area have been broken into and personal items have been stolen and some residents have had "illegals" walk into their houses unannounced. There have been vehicles in the area stolen by illegals. There have been vehicles in the area stolen and broken into by illegals. Fences and other private property have been torn down and damaged.

Some of the evidence of the smuggling activities of "illegals" from Mexico is the ever increasing large amounts of trash left behind by the illegals on the National Forest and private land.

The photos below show just a very small portion of the trash problem in the general Portal area and nearby National Forest:

All of the above photos were taken in the general Portal area and nearby National Forest in 2002-03. They all show examples of the trash being left behind by different groups of "illegals". This is just a small sampling of evidence of groups of "illegals" being smuggled through the area on a daily basis! The numbers of illegals and the trash they leave behind as well as drugs coming into and through the area is increasing at an alarming rate! Feb. 2004 500lbs. of drugs were found off the Foothills Raod a mile north of Portal.There have been numerous other drug "stashes" in the area also

The collected trash left behind by a group of an estimated 50 illegals at the "Duffner Pullout" (a popular birding spot) on November 16, 2002.

On November 22, 2002 there were 3 vehicles (with Mexican license plates) seen at this same location and are suspected of picking up a "stash" of drugs at this spot.

There is now some creditable evidence of "mules" (people carrying loads of drugs) are beginning to walk through the mountains into South Fork of Cave Creek Canyon, (an area very popular and well known to birders and hikers). Vehicles have been recorded traveling on the South Fork road in the early morning hours, presumably to pick the "loads" and mules. Drug stashes have been found at the mouth of South Fork in Cave Creek Canyon and near Portal and other nearby areas.

Smugglers routinely and increasingly are using Cave Creek Canyon Road, Foothills Road and the Portal/Paradise Road as routes over the mountains for their cargos of "illegals" and drugs. On Feb. 6, 2004 a group of 52 illegals were found by the U.S. Border Patrol in Cave Creek Canyon above the Southwestern Research Station. About 10-12 of the illegals ran off and were not apprehended. There have been numerous groups of "illegals" and drugs being transported through the Forest area in Cave Creek Canyon and other areas above Paradise. June 29, 2004 aproximately 40 illegals were seen walking out of South Fork Cave Creek Canyon and walking through Stewart and Idlewild campgrounds. South Fork and other areas on the National Forest have become increasingly popular routes used by smugglers. There has been a sharp increase in the numbers of smugglers and smuggling activity in the general Portal area since Jan. 1st 2004. According to a Border Patrol Supervisory agent from the Lordsburg, NM Station, 900 illegals were apprendend in the Rodeo, NM and Portal, AZ area in March 2004. He also stated that he thought this was perhaps only 30% of the actual numbers coming through the area. The numbers of illegals and drugs coming into the area is expected to increase dramatically as the rest of the Arizona border with Mexico is tightened. A recent quote from a Border Patrol agent "this area is going to get over run by illegals and drug smugglers".

There is an increasing number of vehicles with Mexican license plates driving in the area, the majority of these vehicles are involved with smuggling activities. They drive fast and in a reckless and dangerous manner using unsafe vehicles and if you should be involved in an accident with them don't expect them to stay around or have insurance, typically they do not have any car insurance of any kind.

A very small sample of the estimated 1/2 ton of trash left by illegals during the winter of 2002-3 not far from the Paradise Cemetery.

A shelter left by a group of "illegals" within 1/2 mile of the Paradise Cemetery.

Based upon the amount of trash found in a 1 square mile area near the Paradise Cemetery, an estimated 200+ illegals moved through the Portal/Paradise area during the winter of 2002-3 alone. In the last two years (2002-2003) it is estimated that over 1,500 illegals moved through the Portal/Paradise area. According to Border Patrol sources, the U.S. Border Patrol is severely undermanned and underfunded to deal with the literally thousands of illegal border crossers coming from Mexico on a daily basis. The southern border of the United States with Mexico is in reality, out of control with the large numbers of "illegals" being smuggeled into the U.S. Border Patrol Agents in the field will many times readily admit to this fact. This same scenario exists all along the southern border with Mexico and is much worse in many other areas. Would it not also be easy for terrorists and biological, chemical or even a "dirty nuclear device" to also enter the United States using the same methods and routes as the illegal migrants and drug smugglers?

So much for "Homeland Security"!

 

 

Below is a map of the Cave Creek Canyon Recreation area showing routes and pick-up spots routinely used by smugglers

Every red dot on this map represents a known and verified pick-up point for "illegals" and drugs in the areas shown. These "pick-up points" are used on an ongoing basis. There are undoubtedly other spots which haven't been discovered in the area.

 

 

This increasing problem of people and drug smuggling and the associated trash problem is also found in other popular mountain ranges in southeastern Arizona: the Peloncillos, the Huachucas, Ramsey Canyon near Sierra Vista, and the Santa Ritas including Madera Canyon south of Tucson. The trash problem alone in these areas, especially on the Coronado National Forests is becoming overwhelming. A number of forest and wildland fires costing hundreds of thousands of dollars have been traced back to being started by illegals and drug smugglers coming from Mexico.

The U.S. Forest Service does not have the funding or manpower to deal with the increasing trash problem on the Coronado National Forest. The problem of large numbers of illegals and smugglers moving through the Forest is starting to have adverse affects on wildlife and sensitive native plants in many areas.

 

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