MCSO busts coyote, 11 illegal immigrants

More Phoenix Local News
01:21 PM Mountain Standard Time on Thursday, December 11, 2008
By The Associated Press

PHOENIX- The following is a press release from the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office:

The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Human Smuggling Unit stopped another load vehicle late yesterday, this one with 12 people inside a Chevy Astro, including the coyote.

The stop was made on I-17 near Anthem Way after deputies spotted the vehicle travelling with a rear brake light out.

Human smuggling detectives interviewed the occupants and determined that each agreed to pay between $700.00 and $1500.00 for illegal entry into the U.S. The illegals were destined for California and Mississippi.

Of those found in the vehicle, four (4) were booked into jail on state smuggling and coconspirator charges, a class four felony. The remaining were juveniles who were turned over to Immigration and Customs officials.

Sheriff Arpaio says the time for another crime suppression/human smuggling operation is drawing near. “We are readying deputies and the posse for a big upcoming operation,â€