A late-night sweep in central Phoenix ended with 35 people in cuffs Thursday as state troopers fanned out across the Valley under Operation Desert Guardian, the statewide anti-cartel initiative, authorities said. Working with local partners, troopers ran a targeted task-force operation focused on outstanding warrants along with suspected DUI, drug and weapons offenses. Officials said names and a detailed breakdown of charges would come later, after everyone is booked and processed at local facilities.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety reported a total of 35 arrests from the sweep but did not specify how many fell into each offense category, according to Arizona's Family. The outlet noted the operation unfolded Thursday night in central Phoenix and credited AZDPS for the figures.
What Operation Desert Guardian Is
Operation Desert Guardian was launched under an executive order signed by Gov. Katie Hobbs in February 2025 to disrupt transnational criminal organizations operating along Arizona’s 370-mile border, according to earlier coverage in Hobbs' Operation Desert Guardian launch. It is a statewide effort that leans heavily on coordination among agencies instead of leaving border crime work to any single department.
The initiative’s site says its January 2026 update lists tens of thousands of pounds of drugs seized, roughly 1,400 arrests and about 1,200 weapons confiscated across Arizona, underscoring the scale of the multi-agency push, per Operation Desert Guardian.
How The Sweep Worked
The Arizona Department of Public Safety describes Operation Desert Guardian as an intelligence-driven task force that coordinates state troopers with local, Tribal and federal partners for targeted interdiction details around the state, as detailed by AZDPS. In recent months the department has run similar mobile enforcement details, from traffic stops to sting operations, aimed at intercepting suspected shipments and picking up fugitives tied to border-related crime.
Legal Process
Authorities said the Phoenix arrests include people wanted on outstanding warrants along with suspected DUI, drug and weapons violations. Many of those cases will need lab testing and review by county prosecutors before formal charges are filed, according to Arizona's Family. AZDPS has not yet released full booking information or public court records for the people taken into custody.
The Operation Desert Guardian site includes a tip portal, media toolkit and victim resources for anyone looking to report suspected trafficking or drug activity. The initiative urges residents to pass along information through official channels instead of posting unverified footage or allegations online.
