Immigrant flees drop house, 3 armed smugglers
The Associated Press
May. 20, 2007 01:28 PM

PHOENIX - Police found 19 illegal immigrants being held in a Phoenix home on Sunday after one of the immigrants broke through a window, ran to a house across the street and called 911.

The man who broke free told police three smugglers had been holding the immigrants at gunpoint, originally leading officers to believe they were dealing with a hostage situation, Detective Stacie Derge said.

But when officers went inside the home, the immigrants said the smugglers ran away after the man ran across the street.


Police were not looking for the smugglers because they believe they're long gone. Derge said it was unclear whether the smugglers were armed, but said officers found two handguns and ammunition inside the home.

The immigrants, 18 men and one woman, were to be turned over to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for processing and deportation.

The immigrants told police they had been held in the home against their will for between one and three weeks, Derge said.

She did not know how the immigrants were treated, but said none of them needed medical attention.

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