
The cattle growers associations of both New Mexico and Arizona are hosting a meeting this week in Animas to voice their problems to elected officials.
Ranchers in the Bootheel region say the area is overrun by illegal traffic from Mexico, particularly drug trafficking.
Border Patrol officials reported apprehending 11,000 unauthorized border crossers in fiscal 2015 and seizing more than 15,000 pounds of marijuana, though officials say it is impossible to say how many of those incidents were in the Bootheel region.
The outrage comes months after a ranch hand in the area was kidnapped by alleged drug runners in Animas.
Organizers have invited to the meeting federal, state and local elected officials, as well as representatives from federal and state agencies, to hear firsthand from residents and experts.
The meeting, described as “calling Washington home,” will be held Thursday, March 10th, at 6 p.m. at the Animas High School Auditorium in Animas.
Anyone interested is encouraged to attend.