About 30 immigrants found at drophouse near Tolleson

Teana Wagner
The Arizona Republic
Sept. 25, 2007 01:42 PM

Thirty-four undocumented immigrants and smugglers were arrested after the Maricopa County Sheriff's office investigating a drophouse near 99th Avenue and Broadway Road late Monday night.

Authorities initially arrested eight undocumented immigrants -- all of them men -- and two smugglers after pulling over a white van for suspended plates traveling on Interstate 10 near 99th Avenue at approximately 10:30 p.m. Monday, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said. They were arrested on suspicion of co-conspirator and smuggling under the state's anti-smuggling law.

The arrest was connected to a home at the 9000 block of West Southgate Avenue in Phoenix. Authorities later arrested 23 more people, three females and 20 males, believed to be undocumented immigrants at approximately 4:30 a.m. Tuesday, Arpaio said.

The Maricopa County Sheriff's office is considering charging the 23 undocumented immigrants under the anti-smuggling law, which punishes up to three years in prison.

Sheriff's had the house under surveillance for several days after a tip.

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