IIMPACT detectives investigate two west Phoenix drop houses

On June 8, 2009, Phoenix Police received a tip from someone who said he was an illegal immigrant and had just paid his ransom from a drop house located at 5933 W. Indian School Road.

Phoenix Police arrived at the house and could hear people inside banging on the windows and screaming to get the attention of officers. IIMPACT was called to the scene. A total of nine human smugglers were identified. There were 32 undocumented aliens. Most had been held in the house for over one month and were barely given food or water. Many of the victims had been kicked by the suspects as they received extortion threats. The windows had been fortified by wood. A loaded pistol was recovered.

On June 6, 2009, Phoenix Police received an out of state tip from a woman who stated her boyfriend, an illegal immigrant, was being held against his will in a drop house. As IIMPACT investigated the case, Phoenix Police responded to a check welfare call at 8002 W. Westview. A person called and said he had escaped from the house. Police responded and found four suspected human smugglers and 17 undocumented immigrants. The victims told detectives they were being threatened and extorted for money.

In both cases the suspects will be charged with human smuggling, misconduct involving weapons, kidnapping, armed robbery, aggravated assault, and extortion. All UDA victims were turned over to the custody of ICE.