Police Find 80 Immigrants in Phoenix Home; 2 Suspected Smugglers Arrested

Saturday, April 07, 2007

Associated Press

Authorities found at least 80 suspected illegal immigrants in a drop house west of Phoenix and arrested two suspected smugglers on Friday night.

Peoria police spokesman Mike Tellef said one suspected smuggler came out the front door of the house after authorities shot gas inside. It took several hours before a second smuggler surrendered after police deployed a diversionary device.

Police earlier thought the second smuggler may have had an assault rifle, but he was not armed when they found him in the attic. Both men were in custody.

Some of the suspected illegal immigrants who got out of the house said the smugglers ran upstairs as soon as authorities arrived to serve a search warrant.

Additionally, three women who may have been too scared to come out were found in the basement of the home. They were unharmed, Tellef said.