DPS: Smugglers Held 17 Illegal Immigrants

POSTED: 11:04 am MST February 24, 2010
UPDATED: 11:19 am MST February 24, 2010

PHOENIX -- The Arizona Department of Public Safety's IIMPACT task force arrested six people and discovered 17 suspected illegal immigrants during a bust of a suspected drop house Saturday, authorities said.

According to a DPS news release, the investigation started after the Phoenix Police Department received a 911 call from an illegal immigrant reporting he and several others were being held against their will.

IIMPACT detectives discovered the alleged drop house on North 61st Avenue in Phoenix and further investigation revealed that the house across the street was also involved in the human smuggling operation, DPS said.

Investigators arrested Jose and Lidia Vargas at the second house, DPS said. Isidro Hernandez, Jorge Gonzales, Samuel Monia and Reymundo Chavez were taken into custody at the original residence.

Of the 17 suspected illegal immigrants, there were 16 men and one woman, DPS said.

Detectives also seized a stolen SKS assault rifle, a stolen 357 Smith and Wesson pistol, 10 pounds of marijuana, a "useable amount" of cocaine and ecstasy pills, DPS said.

The victims told detectives the suspects had threatened them at gunpoint, DPS said. All 17 victims were turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

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