Border agents bust suspected human smugglers (ABC15.com)

Border agents bust suspected human smugglers
Posted: 3:04 PM 8/19/2011

By: Margo Papke

TONOPAH, AZ - Two suspected human smugglers are under arrest, after agents discover 17 undocumented immigrants inside their vehicles.

Officials say border agents were investigating smuggling activity in the Coyote Wash area near Tonopah, when they saw a red SUV leave the wash and head north on 355th Avenue.

When agents stopped the vehicle, nine people bailed out and ran into the desert.

Agents say moments later, a green SUV approached the traffic stop, but tried to make a U-turn once it go closer. Agents were able to stop the vehicle, and found 10 undocumented immigrants inside.

The Maricopa County Sheriffs Office was called to help assist in the search for the other immigrants who took off running into the desert. All of them were found.

Two Mexican citizens are facing state human smuggling charges.

The 17 undocumented immigrants are from Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico, and were turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents for removal operations.