Smuggling suspects, migrants arrested at drophouse (The Arizona Republic)

Smuggling suspects, migrants arrested at drophouse
Arpaio: People were held hostage in Avondale

by Tyler Lockman - Feb. 27, 2009 09:59 AM
The Arizona Republic

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office arrested five human smugglers and detained 25 undocumented immigrants being held against their will Thursday at a drophouse in Avondale, officials said.

The raid was the result of information obtained from law-enforcement officials in Tennessee regarding one of the victims. Maricopa County Sheriff's officials tracked a cellphone linked to the investigation to a home in the 12300 block of West Joblanca Road.

A SWAT team surrounded the home about 7 p.m. Five smugglers were nabbed as they attempted to flee, Sheriff Joe Arpaio said.

Arpaio said the smugglers used Tasers on the victims, and deputies found loaded shotguns and handguns in the house, which he characterized as a "violent drophouse with extortion, kidnapping and ransom ingredients."

"This is not just a regular drophouse," Arpaio said. "These people were held hostage."

Arpaio estimated that the victims had been in the home for between four and 25 days. No injuries were reported.

All 25 victims were taken into custody and are subject to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement hold.

The Sheriff's Office has arrested about 80 undocumented immigrants in recent days.

"Everyone says that Phoenix is Number 1 for kidnappings related to drug cartels, but this is not because of that," Arpaio said. "This is a kidnapping hostage situation caused by illegal immigration."