Phoenix

   AP and KTAR report that a Pinal County Sheriffs Deputy was shot and wounded by suspected illegals smuggling bales of marijuana through the desert between Phoenix and Tuscon Friday, April 30th.

   Deputy Louie Puroll, 53, a 15 year veteran had a chunk of skin blown off above his kidney by an AK 47 round while doing drug interdiction work alone in the desert. Treated and released,Deputy Puroll was found after a “frantic search” 5 miles from a rest stop. He had encountered several men after finding the bales of marijuana when at least one opened fire on him.

   Pinal County’s Lt. Tamatha Villar said,” The deputy is a search-and-resue deputy so it is not uncommon to work those areas A) looking for drugs and B) looking for people who need assitance out there. Obviously it is aa high-traffic area for drugs and human smuggling.” ” We have had increasing concerns in this area about being outmanned and out gunned,and unfortunately this evening, this is coming true.

  On the heels of Arizona’s new immigration law and the day before scheduled nationwide protests against that law this incident should serve to puncuate the need to have a more comprehensive and implemented border policy. It seems not every one crossing the desert is coming to the United States to “do work Americans won’t.”

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