100 deputies, volunteers conduct West Valley crime sweep
Reported by: Katrina Wessman
Email: kwessman@abc15.com
Last Update: 4:01 pm

As many as 100 Maricopa County Sheriff deputies and other volunteers were in the West Valley on Wednesday in an effort to catch human smugglers and undocumented immigrants.

Authorities said the deputies and volunteers were patrolling and arresting anyone violating the law, including immigration laws.

Sheriff Arpaio’s enforcement efforts against human traffickers and their co conspirators has netted 1051 arrests since March 2006, according to a news release.

The human smuggling laws have created controversy, but the Arizona Court of Appeals upheld the legality of arresting both the smugglers and undocumented immigrants for the second time this year.

After Governor Napolitano took away $1.2 million designated to the Sheriff by the Arizona state legislator for the enforcement of the human smuggling laws, private citizens have come forward to offer support.

Over $36,000 has been donated to the Sheriff’s office, some of which was scheduled to be used in Wednesday's operation.

"I am proud to be doing the will of the majority of citizens in this county," Arpaio said. "I assure everyone that my deputies and posse handle these operations respectfully and professionally. And the unsubstantiated allegations repeatedly made by a select few elected officials and open border activists will not deter us from enforcing the law.â€