AZ Gov Hobbs Rocked by Human Smuggling Scandal Inside Her Administration [WATCH]

A former employee of the Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) has been arrested at the southern border on charges of human smuggling, creating new political challenges for Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs and her administration.

Joshua Castro, a former produce inspector for the AZDA, now faces both felony and misdemeanor federal charges after U.S. Border Patrol agents apprehended him earlier this month for allegedly transporting illegal aliens across the U.S.-Mexico border, according to KOLD News 13.

Federal documents filed by the U.S. District Attorney for Arizona state that Castro was first spotted on April 9 driving away at high speed from a known human smuggling route near Nogales.

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Border Patrol agents later intercepted the same vehicle after observing two additional passengers inside, who were determined to be Mexican nationals who had paid significant sums to be smuggled into the United States.

KOLD reported that during the incident, Castro was wearing his state-issued uniform, despite being off-duty.

According to details from KOLD:

On April 9, Border Patrol agents observed a black Chevrolet Impala leaving a known smuggling area near Nogales and entering Interstate 19, engaging in driving behaviors aimed at detecting law enforcement surveillance.

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The following evening, agents again spotted the same vehicle in the area of Hereford Drive and International Street but lost visual contact. At that time, only the driver was visible.

Agents later observed the same vehicle returning, this time with two passengers seated in the back. Border Patrol agents initiated a traffic stop on the interstate.

The driver, identified as Castro, claimed he did not know the passengers and said they had simply asked for a ride.

However, further investigation revealed that both men were Mexican citizens who had illegally entered the United States.

One of the individuals told agents he paid approximately 150,000 Mexican pesos — about $7,600 in U.S. dollars — to be smuggled across the border. He reported that after crossing illegally, he was instructed to walk to a specific location near a red house, where a black car would pick him up.

The second individual reported a similar process, stating he agreed to pay $12,000 to be smuggled into the U.S.

Following his arrest, Castro was terminated from his position with the Arizona Department of Agriculture.

Governor Hobbs’ office issued a statement condemning Castro’s actions and announcing additional training measures.

The statement reads: “The governor strongly condemns the actions of this former employee. The Department of Agriculture took swift action, terminating the individual from their position immediately. Although this took place outside of work hours in the employee’s personal vehicle and away from work, AZDA has taken proactive steps to deter this unacceptable behavior. Policies and procedures are being reviewed, and will include mandatory training for supervisors and employees to include information from CBP on signs to watch for and how to report concerns.”

The incident has raised further scrutiny over Governor Hobbs’ leadership and management of state agencies.

It has also cast a shadow over her nominee to lead the Department of Agriculture, Paul Brierley, whose confirmation is currently pending.

State Senator Jake Hoffman, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Director Nominations, commented on the growing controversy in a statement posted to X.

“From cronyism to nepotism and pay-to-play to human smuggling, Katie Hobbs’ tenure as governor is proving to be one of the darkest periods in state history,” Hoffman stated.

“There are no words to adequately describe the obscene mismanagement occurring within Governor Hobbs’ state government.

🚨 BREAKING ARIZONA SCANDAL 🚨

One of @KatieHobbs state employees at the AZ Dept. of Agriculture was arrested earlier this month for alleged HUMAN SMUGGLING of ILLEGAL ALIENS

MY STATEMENT:
“It’s no wonder Hobbs vetoes every piece of meaningful border security legislation when… pic.twitter.com/UuK7kYR9F9

— Jake Hoffman (@JakeHoffmanAZ) April 26, 2025

As for Brierley, Hobbs’ nominee to lead the Department of Agriculture, the Nominations Committee and Senate Republicans had serious doubts about him already; this profound lack of management certainly won’t strengthen his case before the full senate.”

The case against Castro remains ongoing as federal authorities pursue prosecution. Meanwhile, political fallout surrounding the incident continues to intensify across Arizona.

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