Arizona Department of Agriculture employee accused of human smuggling

AZFamily ^ | 4/5/25 | Ben Bradley and Dennis Welch

[CFW]

NOGALES, AZ (AZFamily) — A now-former employee of the Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) was arrested earlier this month at the state’s southern border for alleged human smuggling, in an incident that threatens to derail the nomination of Gov. Katie Hobbs’ pick to run the state agency.

Joshua Castro is facing two federal charges: one felony and one misdemeanor. Further details of the arrest were laid out in a complaint filed two weeks ago by the U.S. District Attorney of Arizona.

On April 9, Border Patrol agents in Nogales spotted a black Chevrolet Impala quickly leaving a known smuggling route and getting onto Interstate 19, driving a certain way to see if law enforcement was around. The next evening, agents saw the same sedan in the area of Hereford Drive and International Street before losing sight of it. Agents saw only one person inside.

The following day, the agents saw the same sedan returning the way it came, but now with two passengers in the backseat. Agents followed the car onto the interstate, pulled it over and asked the driver, identified as Castro, about his passengers.

According to court documents, Castro said the two men had asked for a ride and he didn’t know them. But the agents soon determined the two men were Mexican citizens who were in the U.S. illegally.

One of the men told agents he paid 150,000 Mexican pesos (approximately $7,600 U.S. dollars) to be smuggled into the country. He said he illegally crossed the border and hid until he was told to walk to an area near a red house and look for a black car that would pick him up.

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TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; US: Arizona
KEYWORDS: arizona; corruption; hobbs; trafficking

[CFW]

Remember in 2020 there were accusations that Gov Hobbs, and other democrats, were involved with the cartels and human trafficking? There may be some truth to those accusations.

[b4me]

True. Many politicians, years past and present, have ties of cartel money or support for their being in office, it’s. no secret, plenty of articles over the years.

[goodnesswins]

Wonder what the gov’s cut is?

[CFW]

“Following his arrest, Castro was immediately fired from AZDA, where he worked as a produce inspector. While Castro was not on duty at the time of his arrest, he was wearing his uniform, according to state officials briefed on the incident.”

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This is obviously something he did on a regular basis. I bet a review of any nearby businesses’ video footage would show numerous instances of him smuggling illegal aliens.

[rottweiller_inc]

Some told me once that politicians get elected because it’s the greatest opportunity to commit crimes for large sums. Seems true of government as well.

[PeterPrinciple]

a complaint filed two weeks ago by the U.S. District Attorney of Arizona.

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That is interesting.....................

[Liz]

FTA——One Mexican told agents he paid approximately $7,600 to be smuggled into the country; he illegally crossed the border and hid until he was told to walk to an area near a red house and look for a black car that would pick him up.

The other man told agents he was to pay $12,000 to be smuggled, and provided a similar account of how he crossed into the country and the directions he followed.

Following his arrest, Castro was immediately fired from AZDA, where he worked as a produce inspector. While Castro was not on duty at the time of his arrest, he was wearing his uniform, according to state officials briefed on the incident.

[FlingWingFlyer]

Arizona’s state government has gone full corrupt. It appears to be now being run by the Mexican Cartels and Illegal Alien invaders.

[Bon of Babble]

Has he already been released by a corrupt judge and given a notice to appear in five years?

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Remember in 2020 there were accusations that Gov Hobbs, and other democrats, were involved with the cartels and human trafficking? There may be some truth to those accusations.

Gee.

I am shocked.