Bonita Springs tip leads to Phoenix arrests in kidnapping of illegal immigrants

By STEVEN BEARDSLEY
Originally published 11:59 a.m., Friday, May 29, 2009
Updated 8:23 p.m., Friday, May 29, 2009

Bonita Springs tip leads to Phoenix arrests in kidnapping of illegal immigrants

Cross-border smuggling hit home last week, when a local tip resulted in the rescue of 15 undocumented aliens and the arrest of their captors in Arizona.

Detective Mike Zaleski of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office said a quick turnaround on the tip, which came from someone in Bonita Springs, likely prevented a bad situation from growing worse.

“Our concern was if the ransom wasn’t paid, the victims may become victims of human trafficking. They may become commodities,â€