Published: 05.21.2007

Immigrant flees drop house, 3 armed smugglers
ASSOCIATED PRESS
PHOENIX - Police found 19 illegal immigrants being held in a Phoenix home on Sunday after one of the immigrants broke through a window, ran to a house across the street and called 911.
The man who broke free told police three smugglers had been holding the immigrants at gunpoint, originally leading officers to believe they were dealing with a hostage situation, Detective Stacie Derge said.
But when officers went inside the home, the immigrants said the smugglers ran away after the man ran across the street.
Police were not looking for the smugglers because they believe they're long gone. Derge said it was unclear whether the smugglers were armed, but said officers found two handguns and ammunition inside the home.
The sole female immigrant later told police she had been sexually assaulted several times at gunpoint by one of the smugglers. Police were interviewing her and planned to turn her and the 18 male immigrants over to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for processing and deportation.
The immigrants told police they had been held in the home for between one and three weeks, Derge said.
Derge said none of the immigrants requested medical attention.
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