Agents find 14 people held against will in suspected immigrant drop house in LA (AP c/o LA Times)

Agents find 14 people held against will in suspected immigrant drop house in LA

By Associated Press
February 1, 2010 | 12:02 p.m.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Federal agents say they are investigating a possible immigrant smuggling ring after they found 14 people held against their will at a suspected drop house in Los Angeles.

Authorities said Monday the suspected illegal immigrants told investigators that smugglers had charged them between $5,000 and $7,000 each for safe passage into the U.S.

Virginia Kice, a spokeswoman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, says the smugglers were trying to extort more money before releasing the immigrants.

No arrests have been made. All the immigrants were in good health when found Sunday in the suburban Reseda area.

No weapons were found. Investigators did discover ledgers and other paperwork likely linked to the scheme.