Sheriff's Office: 13 arrested in standoff at Avondale drophouse

by Shala Marks - Mar. 2, 2011 02:17 PM
The Arizona Republic-12 News Breaking News Team

A standoff between suspected human smugglers and Maricopa County Sheriff deputies resulted in the arrest of 13 suspected illegal immigrants in Avondale on Tuesday, authorities said Wednesday.

Deputies were led to the residence after receiving information from a previous investigation about a vehicle being used to transport suspected illegal immigrants out of Maricopa County, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Authorities suspected the house was being used by a human smuggling organization to harbor illegal immigrants who were waiting to be taken to other parts of the country.

According to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, the SWAT team threw tear gas through the windows of a house located on the 10000 block of West Joblanca Road.

The tear gas was used to force the occupants from the home after numerous attempts by police to talk the people into coming out, said Sgt. Jesse Spurgin, spokesman for the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said.

While the occupants barricaded themselves inside the home, the Sheriff's Office said the head suspected smuggler attempted to flee the residence but was quickly apprehended by the Sheriff's deputies.

Authorities also found one handgun and ammunition inside the home.

No one sustained injuries.

http://www.azcentral.com/community/swva ... -abrk.html