Grand Canyon Times

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey has called on the leaders of social media companies to take action to prevent cartels from posting recruiting messages to lure children into human smuggling operations.

According to a release on the governor’s official website, Ducey sent a letter to the leaders of four social media companies, writing, “Your companies have established reporting mechanisms for criminal behavior, but we need stronger action to prevent this activity that is drawing our young people into a life of crime. Inaction only enables cartels to victimize countless youth and families. This crisis presents a real opportunity for you and your companies to take action and make a difference.”

Ducey said cartels are opportunistic and prey on the most vulnerable people. 

“Cartels [are] preying on those seeking refuge for a better life, and facilitating the flow of drugs into American communities. And — these criminals are using your companies’ social media platforms to make it happen,” he said in the letter.

Law-enforcement agencies in Arizona have tracked posts and messages by cartels targeting young people by “glamorizing a lifestyle made possible by human smuggling pay days,” according to the release.

"I urge you to stop letting your social media platform be used as a tool for criminal activity, and I welcome your partnership to address this issue,” Ducey said in his letter. “It's time for the entire social media industry to put a stop to this activity and prevent the exploitation of our youth.”

Pinal County sheriff Mark Lamb expressed support for Ducey’s attempt to curb the social media recruitment.

“I applaud Gov. Ducey for reaching out to social media companies to stop this criminal activity,” he said in the release. “Most Americans do not realize how blatantly the cartels are utilizing social media platforms to recruit young Americans to participate in dangerous drug and human smuggling. Cracking down on cartel operations is a team effort. We’re all Americans – we need to band together to stop transnational criminal organizations at every turn.”