The Associated Press
LAW AND ORDER REPORT
PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Public Safety says a special unit has discovered 40 drophouses this year, arresting 99 suspected human smugglers and nearly 500 suspected illegal immigrants.
The Illegal Immigration Prevention and Apprehension Co-op Team’s mission is targeting violent crimes related to human smuggling and dismantling rings behind the crimes.
Detective Sgt. Chuck Herrera said smuggling suspects who are caught often are also held on suspicion of kidnapping, rape, extortion, assault and other crimes.
State lawmakers approved about $10 million to fund the force composed of DPS, Phoenix police and Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.
The Associated Press