2 suspected Phoenix human smugglers caught, victim missing (KNXV-Phoenix, AZ)

2 suspected Phoenix human smugglers caught, victim missing

Reported by: Deborah Stocks
Email: dstocks@abc15.com
Last Update: 12:40 pm

Two human smugglers were arrested at a Phoenix hotel after being tipped off to an alleged ransom scheme, according to a Department of Public Safety news release.

Detectives got a call last Friday from a Northern California woman who said that human smugglers had kidnapped her brother and they were demanding a $1,300 ransom.

The suspects told the woman if she did not pay the ransom her brother would be killed.

The woman spoke to her brother and he pleaded for her to pay to ensure his safety.

Through information developed by various leads, Illegal Immigration Prevention & Apprehension Co-op Team detectives went to the Motel 6 near Northern Avenue and the Black Canyon Highway.

The suspects were located but the victim, was not with them.

IIMPACT detectives went to an apartment at near 43rd Avenue and Camelback Road where investigators believed the victim had been held.

He remains missing.

Jose Rubio Miranda and Maximlano Velasques were arrested Saturday and are charged with kidnapping and extortion, according to the Wednesday news release.