No one in Washington should have a better understanding of the issues along the Arizona-Mexico border, than Janet Napolitano.

The former Arizona Governor was quite vocal in her criticism of the Bush Administration when it came to the need to shore up border security and that federal funding needed to play a big part. And she was right.

The now Director of Homeland Security recently spoke with pride about her agencies’ successes to the National Sheriff’s Association, citing the $200 million spent since 2005 on Operation: Stonegarden — an effort to stop illegal traffic into the U.S. — and that there was a 73 percent decrease in the number of people illegally crossing the Southwestern border.

And while we applaud the crackdown on illegal immigration, we have to wonder if perhaps the focus is on the wrong target.

U.S. Customs and Border Patrol issues daily press releases, generally about the latest drug seizures. During the week of Jan. 9-15, Border Patrol agents seized 29,700 pounds of marijuana, 46 pounds of cocaine, 41 pounds of methamphetamine and 64 pounds of heroin. Plus more than $121,000 in cash heading out of the country.

Excellent work by men and women working tirelessly to protect the nation.

But it begs the question — are the Mexican drug cartels so stupid they keep sending their product through the same entry points, only to have it all seized? Or is the Border Patrol able to get their hands on just a miniscule portion of the narcotics making their way across the border?

Considering that the cartels’ profits make Microsoft look like a mom and pop corner hot dog stand, we tend to think it might be the latter.

We remain opposed to illegal immigration — and certainly a number of illegal immigrants are serving as drug mules and bringing the narcotics into the country.

But perhaps border security money would be better spent not on keeping people out that want a better life but on stopping that which would seek to profit on life’s destruction.

— Today’s News-Herald