http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/hourlyupdate/127907.php

Published: 05.05.2006

Border Patrol agents find third drop house in Yuma this week
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
PHOENIX - Agents with the U.S. Border Patrol on Friday discovered its third illegal immigrant drop house in Yuma in less than a week.

Agents with the Yuma sector of the Border Patrol received a tip about the drop house, in which they found 14 illegal Mexican immigrants, a .25-caliber pistol and $8,520 in cash, according to an agency press release.

The house was filthy and full of garbage, the agency said.

Agents were working to identify who among the group was the smuggler.

On Sunday, agents found 93 illegal immigrants in a drop house and a rear utility shed after getting an anonymous tip.

Many of the immigrants were women and children who said they had been in the house for two days. Agents described the inside of the home as garbage-strewn and sweltering, with all the windows closed.

And on Wednesday, agents disrupted another human smuggling operation when they found a home with nearly 60 illegal immigrants inside. Many of the immigrants said they had been in the home for four days.

Since October, agents in the Yuma sector have apprehended more than 92,000 illegal immigrants, according to the agency.

Yuma County has become a more desirable crossing point in recent months for some migrants since the Border Patrol stepped up enforcement in other heavy traffic areas to the east.