Suspected Human Smugglers Arrested In 3-Day Probe

POSTED: 9:21 am MST August 19, 2008

PHOENIX -- A law enforcement team has arrested six suspected human smugglers and rescued 15 illegal immigrants

The case began on Aug. 14 when the Illegal Immigration Prevention & Apprehension Co-op Team said it had uncovered information about a human smuggler extortion scheme.

Authorities served a warrant at 2322 W. Thomas Road, arrested three people and charged them with human smuggling.

Detectives said the investigation next led them to a motel at 2700 W. Indian School Road. There, they said they located seven illegal immigrants.

On Saturday, detectives said an additional man connected to the original three suspects threatened to "dump" the bodies of some illegal immigrants he was holding captive in the desert if ransom demands were not met.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety Special Operations Unit forced its way into a Phoenix home, where three more people were arrested and charged with human smuggling. Eight victims were rescued. Detectives said some of the illegal immigrants had been sexually assaulted. .

Two weapons were found inside the house along with evidence consistent with a human smuggling ring, the team said.

IIMPACT is a multi-agency project that is designed to address rising crime associated with illegal immigration. IIMPACT includes such agencies as DPS, Phoenix Police, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Arizona Fraudulent Identification Task Force.
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