http://www.kpho.com/news/13591251/detai ... o&psp=news

300 Illegal Immigrants A Week Smuggled Into Arizona, Police Say

PHOENIX -- Thirteen people were arrested and more than 260 illegal immigrants were detained on Thursday in an alleged human smuggling and money laundering ring that Phoenix police characterized as the biggest they've broken in state history.

"It is the biggest thing that we've ever done here in the Valley that is of this nature," said Commander Glen Gardner.

The investigation began in November and involved several agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the U.S. Border Patrol, Phoenix police and the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
"We believe this group is responsible for smuggling 300 aliens a week across the Arizona-Mexico border and profiting to the tune of more than $30 million," said Phoenix Police Chief Jack Harris.

That amounts to 15,000 people a year, Harris said.

Investigators identified the alleged ringleader as Roman Robaina, who lives near Miramar, Fla. Robaina and his girlfriend were arrested in Miami Wednesday.

"What we were able to show was a money trail that goes over to him and that's how we were able to link him to this organization," Gardner said. "We know that he gives out the orders and he tells people how to operate within the valley."

Investigators said they traveled to Florida and arrested Robaina. They also arrested the suspected syndicate boss for Arizona and busted more than a half-dozen stash houses in the Phoenix area.

"Criminal outfits such as this organization see people as currency," said Troy Henley of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. "They earn millions of dollars through smuggling and ruthless exploitation of people who want to come to the U.S."

Authorities said they executed eight search warrants in Phoenix on Thursday that led to the arrests.