40 illegal immigrants found at west Phoenix drophouse
by Allison Hurtado - Apr. 12, 2010 05:14 PM

Federal officials were investigating a drophouse at a Phoenix apartment near 67th Avenue and Camelback Road on Monday where 40 illegal immigrants were found, some of whom might have been mistreated.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents also arrested six people suspected of running the drophouse and being involved with human smuggling inside the apartment in the 4500 block of North 67th Avenue. Five of the suspects were believe to be illegal immigrants and one was a legal U.S. resident, said Vincent Picard, spokesman for Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Arizona.


ICE agents received a tip that the home might be a drophouse. As the agents investigated, they were able to gain entry to the apartment, Picard said.

A majority of the immigrants were from Mexico, but Picard believes two may be from Honduras and three might be from Guatemala. One of the 40 immigrants was a woman and two were juveniles.

Evidence in the apartment showed some of the immigrants might have been mistreated but it is unknown if they were abused or just had a difficult trip across the desert.

The immigrants that appeared to be abused were given medical treatment, Picard said.

No further details were immediately available.


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