Allen, a Tucson native, heads drug Interdiction Committee
TUCSON – U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords today is hosting a top official from the Department of Homeland Security for a multi-agency briefing on federal efforts to keep drugs from entering the country.
Admiral Thad Allen, the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard and the head of the drug Interdiction Committee, will brief community leaders and representatives from local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
“Arizona is on the front lines of our nation’s border security crisis,” said Giffords. “This briefing is an opportunity for all of us who are working to strengthen border security to hear directly from Admiral Allen and share with him our insights about the fight against the drug cartels.”
The briefing will be held at the University of Arizona’s National Center for Border Security and Immigration, which was recently asked by the U.S. Border Patrol to help measure the effectiveness of the agency’s checkpoint on Interstate 19.
The center is a consortium of 14 institutions that is developing technologies, processes and policies to protect the nation’s borders, foster international trade and enhance long-term understanding of immigration-related issues. UA President Robert Shelton is among the community leaders who will attend the briefing.
Also attending will be Tucson Sector Border Patrol Chief Robert Gilbert and representatives from law enforcement agencies in Pima, Cochise, Santa Cruz and Pinal counties; police departments in Tucson, Oro Valley and Sahuarita; the Drug Enforcement Agency; Immigration and Customs Enforcement; U.S. Marshal; Arizona Governor’s Office; and Arizona National Guard.
Allen, a Tucson native, is in Southern Arizona to conduct an assessment of border security needs. His Interdiction Committee is comprised of 13 federal agencies that advise the U.S. Interdiction Coordinator and the Office of National Drug Control Policy on the operational and tactical adequacy, integration and use of interdiction assets.
Allen is the 23rd commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, the largest component of the Department of Homeland Security. He assumed the post in May 2006 after he was widely praised for directing the federal response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
After the briefing, Giffords will travel with Allen to Bowie for a celebration of Bowie schools. This event is sponsored by the Bowie Unified School District, Bowie Chamber of Commerce and the Bowie School Alumni Group.
Details on the briefing and the celebration events are below.
WHAT: U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords hosts Admiral Thad Allen for briefing on federal drug interdiction efforts.
WHEN: 8:30-10:30 a.m., Friday, Sept. 18
WHERE: University of Arizona, McClelland Hall, 1130 E. Helen St. Paid parking is available in the parking garage immediately west of the building.
WHAT: U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and Admiral Thad Allen attend a “Pride Rally at Bowie Schools”
WHEN: 1 p.m., Friday, Sept. 18
WHERE: Bruce E. Brown Gymnasium, 125 W. 5th Street, Bowie, Arizona