Chelan County Sheriff Tours Southern Border

Chelan County Sheriff Brian Burnett and Sergeant Chris Foreman had the opportunity this week to meet with law enforcement in Arizona and tour the southern border.

Burnett said the fact-finding trip was to "learn what the true scenario is down there."

The two began their time in Arizona by attending a demonstration by the Phoenix Police Department Monday. The department was at their driving course to demo a type of grappler instrument for taking down vehicles and violent offenders.

Burnett and Foreman then participated with the Pinal County Sheriff's Office in "Operation Stone Garden". The operation aims to eradicate illegal drug smuggling and human trafficking through partnering federal entities with local agencies. The Chelan County representatives were part of four different helicopter missions totaling five hours of flight time.

"When we were doing our flight operations on Tuesday we were actually flying the border wall. So we got to see that project as well." explained Burnett, "We saw all the equipment that has been parked because that's on hold obviously right now."

On top of investigating drug smuggler routes as far north as 60 miles, Burnett and Foreman also participated in at least one search and rescue mission.

"They had a 911 call asking for help. (The two in distress) had actually set up a signal/rescue fire. When they did the rescue we actually landed and put a Border Patrol agent on the ground. He assisted in getting the two individuals into the hands of Border Patrol agents that were already on the ground. They were, I believe, 15 and 16-year-old boys from Guatemala," detailed Burnett.

Burnett added that his biggest takeaway was the importance federal policies have on border operations. Local law enforcement raised additional concerns regarding the flow of fentanyl pills over the border, human smuggling and sexual assault.

The two flew back to North Central Washington Thursday morning.

Burnett, who is also the Vice President of the Washington Sheriff's Association and Foreman, the Vice President of the Washington Narcotics Investigators Association, used mainly state and federal dollars for the trip, with local money only funding their food and rental car.