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Nearly 90 migrants found near Wickenburg; others may be hiding in area

Jul. 19, 2006 12:00 AM

Nearly 90 undocumented immigrants were discovered Tuesday in the desert southwest of Wickenburg, many suffering from dehydration and exhaustion from triple-digit heat, authorities said.

Officers used a helicopter, canine units and all-terrain vehicles and conducted foot patrols to search for others believed to be in the area, officials said.

"We know they're still out there because there's sounds in the brush," said Lt. Paul Chagolla, a Maricopa County Sheriff's Office spokesman. "We can hear them. They've hunkered down."

The immigrants told authorities that three people had died in the desert, but authorities were still searching for bodies late Tuesday and couldn't confirm that there were deaths, Chagolla said.

Authorities gave water to the immigrants, who were being turned over to federal immigration authorities, Sheriff Joe Arpaio said.

Lt. Chuck Siemens, who was in charge of the search operation, said some of the immigrants said they hadn't had water since Sunday and were desperate. "They were bombarding us for water," he said. "We passed out water bottles and it was a frenzy." For more details, see B6