YUMA, Ariz. – On Tuesday, August 11, 2026, an Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) Canine District trooper conducted a traffic stop on the driver of a Ford F-350 pickup truck towing a trailer on Interstate 8 near Yuma. During the stop, the trooper observed several indicators of criminal activity.

During a subsequent search of the truck and trailer, the trooper discovered the trailer frame rails were filled with an unknown liquid. Hazmat personnel responded to the scene, and preliminary testing on the substance was positive for methamphetamine.

The vehicle and trailer were transported to a secure location, where investigators drained a total of 106 gallons of liquid methamphetamine from the trailer.

The driver and passenger were arrested and booked on charges including possession of dangerous drugs and transportation of dangerous drugs for sale. Canine District troopers were assisted by AZDPS Hazmat and Highway Patrol District 4.

The diligence and expertise of our Canine District troopers continue to play a vital role in deterring criminal activity and keeping dangerous drugs out of Arizona’s communities.

GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Ariz. — The Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) Aviation Bureau assisted the United States National Park Service with multiple rescue operations at Grand Canyon National Park on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 29-30, helping hikers stranded by severe flash flooding.

“Ranger” is the call sign used for AZDPS Air Rescue helicopters and their crews. Ranger 3, based out of Flagstaff, completed 13 flights to the canyon floor and back to the South Rim Helibase, transporting a total of 61 hikers to safety.

Saturday, Aug. 29:

Flooding washed out bridges near Phantom Ranch, stranding numerous hikers. After briefing at the South Rim Helibase, National Park Service crews rescued three hikers from The Box using a short-haul operation. AZDPS crews extracted 32 hikers from the Phantom Delta helipad and 10 from the Bunkhouse over nine flights. Helibase staff later requested a search for five additional missing hikers in The Box. Using FLIR, AZDPS crews located two hikers at Tom and Jerry, two distinctive rock formations in the canyon, and extracted them by hover, returning them safely to the helibase.

Sunday, Aug. 30:

AZDPS was requested again to help 17 people stranded at Cottonwood Campground due to flooding. Ranger 3 completed four flights into the canyon, extracting all individuals.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety continues to support the United States National Park Service during emergency rescue operations at Grand Canyon National Park, and all media inquiries should be directed to the National Park Service.

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Update: Sept. 2, 2026

On Tuesday, Sept. 1, at approximately 6:30 a.m., AZDPS Aviation Bureau crews returned to Grand Canyon National Park in support of ongoing search operations. Throughout the day, Ranger 3 assisted with the insertion and extraction of eight U.S. Border Patrol BORSTAR operators and four K-9s.

We have included a link below to photos and video taken by AZDPS and USBP personnel on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 depicting ongoing rescue and support efforts.

AZDPS continues to support the United States National Park Service during emergency operations at Grand Canyon National Park. All media inquiries should be directed to the National Park Service.

Media link for photos and video

PHOENIX — Four Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) personnel flew more than 7,000 miles to Koror, Republic of Palau, on a mission to get Palau ready to secure the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting.

From July 20-24, 2026, Captain Brad Kudler, Captain Vern Havens, Captain Jared Kramer, and Manager Heather Anderson teamed up with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), U.S. Embassy Koror, the FBI, and Australian Federal Police to deliver a five-day Event Security Readiness Assessment and Training program.

Approximately 25 Palauan public safety and government professionals participated, representing law enforcement, marine enforcement, immigration and customs, fire/EMS, airport and port authorities, emergency management, transportation, communications, and other critical stakeholders.

The training covered everything needed to secure a major international event, including threat and vulnerability assessments, intelligence and information sharing, interagency coordination, command and control, cybersecurity, security planning, route and venue security, incident response, contingency planning, and effective use of available personnel.

Participants didn’t just talk theory, but put their skills to use with hands-on venue assessments and scenario-based exercises. They finished with a high-pressure tabletop exercise that pushed agencies to coordinate through a series of increasingly complex incidents.

For AZDPS, this was a chance to put Arizona’s major-event expertise on the world stage and forge stronger ties with U.S. and international partners who share our public safety mission.

Our personnel demonstrated the professionalism and leadership that define AZDPS as they helped Palau prepare to safely host leaders from across the Pacific.

This engagement was made possible through funding provided by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.