68 Illegal Immigrants Arrested in Arpaio's Crime Sweep

Updated: Saturday, 29 Jan 2011, 4:18 PM MST
Published : Saturday, 29 Jan 2011, 4:14 PM MST

PHOENIX - In the Border Battle – Sheriff Joe Arpaio has released the results of his latest crime sweep.

During the operation in west Phoenix on Friday and Thursday, deputies and the newly-formed illegal immigration enforcement posse members arrested 83 people, and 68 of them were in the country illegally and suspected of being involved in human smuggling.

They also seized more than 700 pounds of marijuana and 66 grams of methamphetamine.

Fourteen warrants were also cleared.

Leading up to the two-day operation, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office arrested 56 illegal aliens involved in human smuggling, bringing the total arrested to 124.

Arpaio said his office has investigated both on the streets and in the jails over 44,000 illegal aliens since he cracked down on enforcing state and federal immigration laws.

“Human smuggling and drug traffickers seem to be joining forces because of the motive of profit,â€