MCSO: Morning traffic stop nets 14 undocumented immigrants
Reported by: Katie Fisher
Email: kfisher@abc15.com
Last Update: 3:28 pm

GILA BEND, AZ -- An early morning traffic stop led to the arrests of 14 undocumented immigrants southwest of the Valley on Monday.

Maricopa County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Lt. Brian Lee said a patrol deputy made the arrests around 5 a.m. during a traffic stop near Gila Bend.

Lee said nine of the 14 people taken into custody were arrested on felony human smuggling charges.

According to MCSO, "These arrests are a result of Sheriff Joe Arpaio's recent promise to ensure that all 900 of his sworn deputies receive training on the enforcement of illegal immigration laws."

The rate of arrests made by the Sheriff's Office for human smuggling violations is reportedly double what it was at this point last year, despite the fact that deputies are no longer allowed to act as Immigration and Custom's Enforcement (ICE) agents under the 287(g) program.

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