23 people found inside suspected Avondale drophouse

by Raquel Velasco - Dec. 8, 2011 11:50 AM
The Arizona Republic

Sixteen people were found severely injured after police served a search warrant at a drophouse in Avondale late Wednesday, officials said.

A Department of Public Safety task force served the search warrant at about 7 p.m. Wednesday at the house in the area of 109th Avenue and Locust Lane.

Inside the house were a total of 23 people including seven suspected human smugglers and 16 victims, authorities said.

When officers entered the house, the suspected smugglers attempted to run out of the master bedroom, severely cutting themselves in the process.

Two of the victims had broken ribs, cuts and bruises and were believed to have been beaten by the smugglers, according to DPS.

Authorities found two semi-automatic guns and several pounds of marijuana in the house.

Four of the men inside the house are facing charges of armed robbery, kidnapping, extortion, human smuggling and aggravated assault.

DPS said they believe this is one of the most severe cases of abuse in a drophouse they have investigated.

The 23 people are believed to be undocumented immigrants and were turned over to immigration authorities.
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