Drophouse raid yields 4 suspected smugglers

by Mark Carlson -
Mar. 12, 2010 11:20 AM
Associated Press .

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office has uncovered a drophouse in the Maryvale area of west Phoenix.

Sheriff Joe Arpaio tells The Associated Press that investigators developed a tip that led to the drophouse near 59th Avenue and Osborn Road.

Four smugglers and 36 people held hostage were taken into custody Friday morning.

The Sheriff said the immigrants had been held in a boarded up room for several days.

Arpaio said the suspected illegal immigrants were being questioned Friday by investigators.

No injuries were reported.

Television reports early Friday morning showed several people sitting on a curb, restrained with plastic handcuffs.

Arpaio said that nearly 300 illegal immigrants have been arrested since the beginning of the year.

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