Police: Drophouse raided, 31 hostages found

by Nathan Gonzalez - Feb. 15, 2009 11:30 AM
The Arizona Republic

Phoenix police raided a drop house Saturday evening where 31 suspected illegal immigrants were being held hostage for as long as four weeks, police said.

Someone inside a home on the 6400 block of West Winslow Avenue called police about 7:30 p.m. saying they were being held against their will, said Officer Luis Samudio, a police spokesman.

"We got an anonymous call from someone inside the home saying they were being held for hostage at the address," Samudio said.

When police arrived at the home, they discovered 28 men, 2 women and a 17-year-old, but no suspects holding the immigrants, Samudio said.

The caller told police some people had been held at the home for about a month.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement was called and detained the home's occupants, all of whom are believed to be illegal immigrants.

Samudio was unaware whether anyone was injured or required medical attention. ICE officials were not immediately available for comment.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/ ... e0216.html