A former Arizona Department of Agriculture employee has been arrested on federal charges of human smuggling, sparking political fallout for Governor Katie Hobbs’ administration.
Joshua Castro, previously a state produce inspector, was caught earlier this month near Nogales, Arizona, transporting two undocumented Mexican nationals who had paid to be smuggled into the U.S., according to federal documents. U.S. Border Patrol agents say Castro was seen fleeing a known smuggling corridor on April 9 in a black Chevrolet Impala. When agents later intercepted the vehicle, they found Castro off-duty but still wearing his state-issued uniform. The arrest has intensified scrutiny of state employee oversight and could present fresh political challenges for Hobbs as border security continues to dominate Arizona’s political landscape.
