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2 suspected smugglers arrested in Ariz.
2007-04-07
Authorities found at least 80 suspected illegal immigrants in a house west of Phoenix and arrested two suspected smugglers, a police official said. Authorities shot tear gas into the house, forcing one of the suspected smugglers out. They found the other suspect hiding in the attic, said Peoria police spokesman Mike Tellef. He said authorities became aware of the drop house after a Michigan resident called U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, saying one of their relatives had called because the smugglers were demanding more money. ICE spokeswoman Virginia Kice did not confirm how the agency became aware of the drop house and declined to release further information. Tellef said none of the immigrants requested medical treatment, although some had said they hadn't eaten for at least a day. "We're very fortunate that nobody got hurt," he said. "We're lucky that we're not running into 100-degree temperatures yet." The one-story home is located in a middle-class neighborhood, he said. The immigrants were in the custody of ICE. Tellef said the drop house is the second the department has found this week. On Monday, he said 30 suspected illegal immigrants and four suspected smugglers were found in a Peoria home. On Thursday in Phoenix, police found 60 suspected illegal immigrants packed in a home after responding to a call about shots being fired. No one was hurt, and the immigrants were turned over to ICE. ___ On the Net: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement: http://www.ice.gov/
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