http://www.wsoctv.com/news/8073959/detail.html

POSTED: 11:13 pm EST March 16, 2006

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- FBI agents were checking Thursday night to see if a network of human smugglers is operating in Charlotte.

Earlier this month, police arrested Carlos Martinez-Perez and Ignacio Vasquez-Rios. Officers said the men used a pick-up truck to bring illegal immigrants from Arizona to Charlotte. Police found Martinez-Perez and Vasquez-Rios in a north Charlotte apartment complex as they dropped off five illegal immigrants. "I think the way people are being treated is like cattle," said latino activist Pat Martinez. "Those that are transporting and taking advantage of people that are desperately trying to get into the United States for whatever reason should be heavily penalized."

Martinez-Perez and Vasquez-Rios were being held Thursday night as federal prisoners in the Mecklenburg County Jail. They were expected to be deported back to Mexico.