Arpaio's Phoenix crime sweep in 2nd day

by Jason Pacini and Karen Schmidt - Jan. 28, 2011 07:02 AM
The Arizona Republic-12 News-Breaking News Team

A crime suppression sweep by the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office moved into its second day Friday with nearly 200 deputies and volunteers targeting human smuggling, drop houses and illegal drugs across the Phoenix area, Sheriff Joe Arpaio said.

A spike in human-smuggling arrests in January by patrol deputies prompted the Sheriff's Office to launch the 18th crime-suppression operation, Arpaio said. The office's newly formed Illegal Immigration Enforcement Posse plans to join in the sweep.

Undercover surveillance led to the arrest of 56 suspected illegal immigrants in the days preceding the launch of the sweep.

The sweep has led to a total of 41 arrests by Friday morning. The Sheriff's Office made 33 arrests on accusations ranging from human smuggling, transporting marijuana to failure to provide identification.

Eight other arrests were made in connection with drug possession, open warrants and driving on a suspended license, according to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.

Volunteers, including actor Steven Seagal, will sweep the entire Valley for the two 10-hour days.

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