Application Form - Local Border Support Fund.docx

Today’s Date: August 19, 2025 
Name: City of Buckeye 
Agency: Buckeye Police Department (BPD) 
Email:  rroach@buckeyeaz.gov 
Phone: 623-349-6165 
Agency Address: 530 Monroe Ave.  
Address 2:  
City/Town: Buckeye 
State: AZ 
ZIP/Postal Code: 85326   
Grant Inquiry: Local Border Support Fund 
Executive Summary/Short Description 
BPD requires additional human resources and technology to combat border-related crimes such 
as human smuggling, drug and weapons trafficking, etc. Through this grant, BPD will primarily 
focus on detaining and prosecuting individuals who are charged with human smuggling, drug, 
human, and weapons trafficking, illegal immigration, and other border-related crimes. To 
accomplish the aforementioned activities, BPD requires one new Full-Time Employee (FTE) 
detective, a fentanyl/weapons detecting quadruped robot that can perform numerous other 
lifesaving tasks, and a vehicle.  
Scope of Work 
Buckeye is the westernmost city of the Phoenix Metropolitan area, located approximately 36 
miles west of Phoenix and 116 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border in Lukeville. Major 
roadways run through Buckeye, including the east-west Interstate-10 (I-10) and the north-south 
State Route 85 (SR-85). SR-85 connects Mexico to the United States and provides travelers with 
a major drug and human trafficking corridor. The I-10 freeway connects the United States' east 
coast to the west coast and acts as a major drug and human trafficking corridor. This places 
Buckeye at a junction of high incidences of drug, weapons, and human trafficking, as well as 
illegal immigration and other border-related crimes. Buckeye is the first city that people 
encounter if one enters from the south on SR-85 or the west on I-10, making Buckeye a common 
thoroughfare for approximately 118,100 vehicles per day that travel on SR-85 and the I-10 
(2024-AADT-PUBLICATION_wformat20250606.xlsx and 2024-AADT-
PUBLICATION_wformat20250606.xlsx). Those vehicles include border-related criminals who 
pass through or stop in Buckeye. Buckeye is also the last city one would encounter if traveling

west along I-10 or south on SR-85, making Buckeye a key location for people to stop and take 
advantage of food and fuel before their options become limited. Buckeye, due to its vast 
geographical character and low per capita and low per square mile law enforcement presence, 
provides an opportunity for criminals to “fly under the radar”. Buckeye maintains a 1.1 sworn 
law enforcement personnel per 1,000 population per capita as opposed to a national average of 
2.5. (national average police officers per 1000 in 2024 - Search). 
The fight against local border-related crimes such as drug and human trafficking, human 
smuggling, and illegal immigration requires special human and technological resources. 
Regarding technology, stationary License Plate Recognition Devices (LPRs) have been 
successful in the City of Buckeye within the last 18 months, with the LPRs aiding BPD to locate 
3 missing persons, locate and recover 18 stolen vehicles, and track and arrest the suspects from 2 
armed robberies. In one instance, BPD conducted a traffic stop on a stolen vehicle after their 
LPR alerted officers. The driver of the vehicle stated that they were paid to drive south to the 
U.S./Mexico border to pick up people to smuggle them into the United States and potentially 
turn them into victims of human trafficking. BPD requires additional human resources and 
technology to combat border-related crimes such as human smuggling, drug and weapons 
trafficking, etc. 
Through this grant, BPD will primarily focus on detaining and prosecuting individuals who are 
charged with human smuggling, drug, human, and weapons trafficking, illegal immigration, and 
other border-related crimes. To accomplish the aforementioned activities, BPD requires one new 
Full-Time Employee (FTE) detective, a fentanyl/weapons detecting quadruped robot that can 
perform numerous other lifesaving tasks, and a vehicle. 
BPD has previously received grant funding to acquire four new MX-908 mobile fentanyl testing 
devices from DPS (3 devices) and the Tohono O’odham Nation (1 device), which were recently 
placed into service. BPD has also received grant funding from DPS under the FY 2026 Fentanyl 
Prosecution, Diversion, and Testing grant in the amount of $127,011.19 to partially fund the 
purchase of the fentanyl detecting quadruped robot. BPD requires grant funding to acquire an 
FTE for the first year, a vehicle, and the remaining funds required to acquire the local border 
support quadruped robot. Buckeye is prepared to fund equipment funding shortfalls and the FTE 
going forward.  
The quadruped robot can sense fentanyl and other forms of illicit substances. The quadruped 
robot can also approach at-risk areas to perform a variety of high-risk tasks, including fentanyl 
identification, process serving, service of warrants, monitoring, video and audio surveillance 
activities, two-way communications, video feeds, etc. The quadruped robot can climb stairs, 
traverse irregular surfaces, right itself when it tips over, open doors, and retrieve items. The 
quadruped robot is also a safer hazardous substance detection strategy than utilizing a law 
enforcement K-9, as the exposure to these lethal substances by using the quadruped robot is 
greatly reduced for both the K-9 and the K-9 handler.

BPD is requesting DPS funding to aid in the purchase of a local border support quadruped robot, 
a vehicle, and a law enforcement detective personnel cost for one year. The proposed quadruped 
robot costs approximately $400,000, of which $127,011.19 will be funded by the AZ DPS FY 
2026 Fentanyl Prosecution, Diversion, and Testing grant, leaving an outstanding funding need of 
$272,988.81 for the robot. The first-year salary and employee-related expenses cost roughly 
$113,000. A vehicle costs approximately $60,000. BPD’s goal is to remove local border-related 
crimes from the community, especially related to drug, weapons, and human trafficking and 
illegal immigration. 
A program called the Group Violence Intervention (GVI) program is being implemented at 
Buckeye to reduce fentanyl related events in Buckeye. An example of GVI is responding to 
community concerns with supportive data analytics to implement a program that addresses an 
increase in drug-related calls for service. Statistical analysis helps identify offenders most likely 
to be involved in drug-related incidents. GVI can also be applied to issues like human and 
weapons trafficking, domestic violence, sexual assault, and other border-related crimes. 
Evidence-based and trauma-informed strategies are used to identify problems and trigger factors 
to develop best practices. A key component of the GVI mission is the link between gun violence 
and the sale of illicit drugs, as well as human trafficking. The link between human and drug 
trafficking and weapons trafficking is substantial, as human and drug trafficking can support the 
demand for weapons. Perpetrators use weapons to protect their human trafficking and drug 
trafficking operations, as well as maintain control over their victims. These interlinkages 
between human and drug trafficking and weapons trafficking can intensify, facilitate, and trigger 
violence (what is the link weapons and human trafficking - Search and Microsoft Word - 
DAA315C4.doc).  
The law enforcement detective, quadruped robot, and related equipment will be used for 
investigations, interdiction, and prosecution of border-related crimes such as human smuggling, 
drug and weapons trafficking, and illegal immigration. The robot can sense fentanyl and other 
forms of illicit substances. The robot can be used to gather data and evidence. The robot can also 
approach at-risk areas to perform a variety of high-risk tasks, including drug recognition, process 
serving, warrant service, monitoring, video and audio surveillance activities, two-way 
communications, video feeds, etc. The robot can climb stairs, traverse irregular surfaces, right 
itself when it tips over, open doors, and retrieve items. The quadruped robot is also a safer 
hazardous substance detection strategy than utilizing a law enforcement K-9, as the exposure to 
these lethal substances is greatly reduced for both the K-9 and the K-9 handler. BPD is 
anticipating the receipt of 25 new License Plate Recognition Cameras (LPRs). LPRs are 
specialized devices designed to identify and record vehicle license plates. LPRs utilize advanced 
technology to scan and recognize license plates, making them valuable tools for numerous 
purposes, including use in the investigation and prosecution of border-related criminal activities. 
In one instance, BPD conducted a traffic stop on a stolen vehicle after their LPR alerted officers. 
The driver of the vehicle stated that they were paid to drive south to the U.S./Mexico border to

pick up people to smuggle them into the United States and potentially turn them into victims of 
human trafficking. The LPRs will also be incorporated with the West Valley Real-Time Crime 
Center, enabling partnering agencies to access data collected from the LPRs. 
BPD is associated with the West Valley Real-Time Crime Unit, which includes other cities such 
as El Mirage, Glendale, Peoria, and Avondale. BPD will share all of this technology and 
resources with the neighboring jurisdictions. Attached please find letters of support from 
neighboring law enforcement agencies that corroborate the multi-jurisdictional applicability of 
this grant request. The City of Buckeye is committed to all grant award compliance, including 
financial and performance reporting requirements. 
Justification 
The link between human and drug trafficking and weapons trafficking is substantial, as human 
and drug trafficking can support the demand for weapons. Perpetrators use weapons to protect 
their human trafficking and drug trafficking operations, as well as maintain control over their 
victims. These interlinkages between human and drug trafficking and weapons trafficking can 
intensify, facilitate, and trigger violence (what is the link weapons and human trafficking - 
Search and Microsoft Word - DAA315C4.doc).  
Buckeye experienced an increase in drug-related offenses of 36% and an increase in weapon 
offenses of 79% between 2022 and 2024, according to the BPD 2024 annual report (2024 annual 
report). In June 2025, a death involving a teenager who smoked marijuana and later exhibited 
signs of an opioid overdose led police to an illegal marijuana and firearm sales operation based 
in Buckeye, spanning various cities in the West Valley, according to the Maricopa Superior 
Court. BPD is associated with the West Valley Real-Time Crime Unit, which includes other cities 
such as Glendale, El Mirage, Peoria, and Avondale.  
Additional border-related criminal activities that have recently occurred in or around Buckeye 
are as follows: 
 In June 2022, near the Interstate 8 and State Route 85 junction (south of Buckeye), U.S. 
Customs and Border Protection seized over 120 pounds of methamphetamine, a handgun, 
and ammunition from a vehicle with children onboard (Tucson Border Patrol Agents 
Thwart Meth Smugglers Near Gila Bend – Arizona Daily Independent). 
 In June 2022, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Phoenix conducted “Operation 
April Fools,” which led to 29 arrests tied to human trafficking and child sex crimes 
('Operation April's Fools': Arizona authorities arrest 29 men in undercover child sex 
crimes sting | FOX 10 Phoenix). 
 In September 2022, BPD responded to two suspected human smuggling incidents within 
24 hours (Buckeye police respond to two suspected human smuggling incidents | News 
List | City of Buckeye).

 In July 2023, the Glendale Police Department participated in “Operation Safe Streets III” 
in which 780,700 fentanyl pills, 250 pounds of methamphetamine, multiple firearms, and 
currency were seized (Glendale police arrest one after seizing 780,000 fentanyl pills). 
 In December 2024, BPD seized approximately 8,000 M-30 fentanyl pills during a traffic 
stop near Verrado Way and Yuma Road (8,000 fentanyl pills seized in traffic stop | News 
List | City of Buckeye). 
 In February 2025, various Phoenix metropolitan law enforcement agencies participated in 
“Operation Double Down” which led to the seizure of 1.7 million fentanyl pills, 24 
kilograms of cocaine, 13 pounds of heroin, 370.2 pounds of methamphetamine, 26 
kilograms of fentanyl powder, $210,000 in cash, 28 firearms, and 14 vehicles. These 
seizures led to the issuance of arrest warrants for 25 people (‘Operation Double Down’ 
leads to seizure of drugs, guns in Arizona; 25 arrested). 
The aforementioned events have occurred in or around Buckeye. Due to Buckeye’s geographic 
location along key trafficking corridors, there is an urgent need for specialized investigative and 
tactical resources. Funding for a detective, quadruped robot, and dedicated vehicle will 
significantly improve BPD’s ability to interdict and dismantle border-related criminal operations 
impacting the community. Additionally, due to BPD’s partnership with neighboring jurisdictions, 
as shown in the attached letters of support, these requested resources will be available for those 
neighboring agencies, if awarded. 
The local border support quadruped robot can identify unknown substances and increase the 
number of successful charges against suspects, which leads to a greater positive impact on the 
community. These fatal substances are often sold within the community and contribute to 
overdose hospitalizations and deaths. According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, 80% 
of fentanyl is trafficked through the southwest border. Additionally, from January to June 2025, 
approximately 4,634 pounds of fentanyl were seized at U.S. borders, with approximately 3,707 
pounds coming from the southwest border (How much fentanyl is seized at US borders each 
month? | USAFacts). With the proposed quadruped robot, existing MX-908 devices, and efforts 
by BPD officers, BPD expects to see a reduction in overdose hospitalizations and deaths through 
the removal of deadly drugs, weapons, and perpetrators from the community. Initially, BPD is 
expecting to see an increase in successful diversions, arrests, and convictions, but over time, the 
goal is to reduce these incidents as more offenders are removed from society via diversion or 
incarceration. The quadruped robot is also a safer hazardous substance detection strategy than 
utilizing a law enforcement K-9, as the exposure to these lethal substances is greatly reduced for 
both the K-9 and the K-9 handler. BPD’s goal is to remove dangerous individuals and border-
related crimes from the community, especially for drugs, weapons, and human trafficking, illegal 
immigration, and other border-related crimes, while ensuring the safety of law enforcement 
officers and the community. The quadruped robot equipment will also benefit neighboring 
agencies during the many joint jurisdiction operations. If awarded, the grant funding will support 
this goal. Buckeye critically needs funding due to its geographic location and budgetary

constraints. Buckeye is 40 miles west of Phoenix and is home to approximately 119,000 people 
and covers 640 square miles. Buckeye is often traversed by drug dealers by means of roadways 
such as I-10, a cross-country East-West freeway, and SR-85, a North-South freeway that runs 
from I-10 south through Mexico. Additionally, the international border states of California and 
Texas create drug, human, and weapons traffic through Buckeye by way of the aforementioned 
roadways.  
Budget 
The City of Buckeye proposes to acquire a local border support quadruped robot at a cost of 
approximately $400,000, of which $127,011.19 will be funded by the AZ DPS FY 2026 Fentanyl 
Prosecution, Diversion, and Testing grant, leaving an outstanding funding need of $272,988.81 
for the quadruped robot, a detective's first-year salary and employee-related expenses of about 
$113,000, and a vehicle costing approximately $60,000. BPD requests grant award funding of 
$445,988.81. BPD is prepared to fund costs in addition to the grant award. This request is 
scalable.