http://www.kfoxtv.com/news/8152724/detail.html

OSTED: 9:22 pm MST March 20, 2006

KFOX News

March 20, 2006 -- Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) special agents were led to a Motel 6 on Lomaland on Monday morning. It was there that they discovered 33 illegal immigrants in several rooms. It is being classified as a significant case because they believe among the immigrants were the smugglers.

"ICE agents had information about the whereabouts of the group of illegal aliens. That intelligence led them to that location," said ICE spokesperson Leticia Zamarripa.

Men, woman and children were among the group of illegal immigrants that were held in several rooms at the motel. But a significant find is the possibility that among the group are at least two smugglers.

"If two illegals who are believed to be the smugglers in the group are charged, this will be a significant case. Not just because of the number in the group but because ICE really wants to go after smugglers, the people responsible for bringing these individuals illegally into the country," said Zamarripa.

Zamarripa says the goal for ICE is to identify these organizations and dismantle them so they won't be able to operate. She says ICE is expecting a busy summer.

"As temperatures rise and the climate is better we're expecting to see more groups come through El Paso," said Zamarripa.

Zamarripa tells KFOX all the illegal immigrants seem to be in good health. They are being held in an ICE office in East El Paso where they're being processed and will be sent home to their native land. So far most of them are Mexican nationals.

The alleged smugglers are detained at the Processing Center for interviewing. Some of the immigrants were on their way to North Carolina, others to Georgia. They paid the smugglers $400 in Mexico and were planning to pay the entire amount, more than $1,000, when they arrived to their final destination.