Police: 38 immigrants found in 'drop house' (Arizona Republic)

Police: 38 immigrants found in 'drop house'

by Lisa Halverstadt - Feb. 1, 2009 10:33 AM
The Arizona Republic

A whispered call for help led police to 38 people huddled inside an El Mirage home early Saturday. Police believe those people, all of whom were in the country illegally, may have been part of smuggling operation.

Just after 7 a.m. Saturday, a 911 operator received a call from someone who provided no response to questions. When the dispatcher requested officers check the welfare of the caller, the operator heard a male voice whispering that he needed help, El Mirage assistant police chief Bill Louis said.

After that information was relayed to officers, police worked with a phone company to determine the location of the call.

GPS revealed the call was coming from the area of 123rd Avenue and Columbine Drive.

As officers began to knock on doors there, the 911 operator informed them of a chirping noise, similar to that of a smoke alarm out of batteries, Louis said.

When police came upon that sound at a home nearby, they knocked on the door and rang the doorbell with no response.

Eventually, they entered the home through an open window, Louis said. Upon walking upstairs, the officers found 17 people huddled in one bedroom. Another of the rented home's three bedrooms was packed with 21 people, Louis said.

Police soon found the man who had called for help. He told officers he was having trouble breathing after being involved in a car accident hours earlier. Firefighters took him to Sun Health Boswell Hospital in Sun City.

When authorities from Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrived, they found that 34 of the people were likely Mexican nationals. Three others appear to be from Honduras, Louis said.

A handgun and other evidence recovered from the scene led police to believe the people may have been part of a smuggling operation.

Officers later contacted the landlord who had leased out the home and she is cooperating with the Police Department's investigation, Louis said.

The 37 men and one woman are now being detained by ICE. Authorities are continuing to investigate. Anyone with information should call El Mirage police at 623-433-9500.