MCSO apprehends 12 in suspected human smuggling operation

Posted: 5:43 PM
Last Updated: 3 hours ago
abc15.com
By: Alex Ferri

PHOENIX - Seven adults and five juveniles were taken into custody Wednesday night as a result of two human smuggling investigations.

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said in a statement that his Human Smuggling Unit turned 10 of the 12 suspects over to Immigrations and Customs Enforcement after finding two vehicles that were apparently involved in human smuggling.

The five minors are not believed to be related to the adults in the vehicles, and they ranged in age from seven to 17. The children and one adult claimed to be from Guatemala, with the rest saying they were from Mexico.

Suspects reportedly told detectives that they paid up to $500 to be transported into the country with final destinations of Prescott or Los Angeles.

http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/region...ling-operation