Phoenix sting leads to arrest of 2 suspected human smugglers
Reported by: Katrina Wessman
Email: kwessman@abc15.com
Last Update: 10/21 1:45 pm

Slideshow Daniel Lopez-Bonilla Two alleged human smugglers were arrested in Phoenix on Monday after officials received a report from a tip line.

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio's Human Smuggling Unit received information that human smugglers were demanding $1,200 from a male victim's family in exchange for his safe release, according to officials.

Deputies, with the help of the victim's family, arranged a ransom exchange with the suspects in a parking lot near 27th Avenue and Camelback Road.

Officials said the victim was safely rescued and 25-year-old Daniel Lopez-Bonilla and 50-year-old Carlos Estrada-Marroquin were arrested by Human Smuggling detectives and the SWAT team.

The victim agreed to aid in prosecution and will be a material witness to the case, according to reports.

Both suspects were booked into Maricopa County jail on felony charges of human smuggling, kidnapping and extortion.

During the investigation, officials say 24-year-old Viridaina Victoria Isaac-Avila and 19-year-old Maria Helena-Reyes were determined to be in the country illegally.

Isaac-Avila reportedly told officials that she had a 7-year-old son attending a local school.

Detectives found the boy and determined that he was also in the country illegally.

All three were processed and turned over to ICE for deportation proceedings, according to reports.

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