The governor of the U.S. state of Arizona has declared a state of emergency along the Mexican border in response to illegal drug and immigration activity.
On Monday, Governor Janet Napolitano earmarked $1.5 million in state funding for four counties that border Mexico. The money is intended to help police officers combat drug traffickers, illegal immigrant smugglers and criminal gangs.
The governor says the federal government has failed to secure the Arizona-Mexico border, a situation she says is threatening the health and safety of Arizona residents.
Governor Bill Richardson in the neighboring U.S. state of New Mexico declared a similiar state of emergency last week.
State leaders from both states have been urging President Bush for more resources to improve border security.
Some information for this report provided by AP.
