Two separate human smuggling investigations by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office resulted in 5 juveniles and 7 adults being taken into custody last night. The Human Smuggling Unit (HSU) turned 10 of the 12 suspects over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after drivers of two vehicles appeared to be involved in Human Smuggling.
HSU detectives determined through the course of their investigations the five minors were not related to the adults in the vehicles and were travelling unaccompanied. The children ranged in ages from seven to 17 and they, along with one adult, all claimed to be from Guatemala. The remaining suspects claimed to be Mexican Nationals.
During the on-scene investigation, Sheriff’s detectives learned all of the suspects paid up to $500 to be illegally smuggled into the U.S. Destinations were Prescott and Los Angeles.
Sheriff Arpaio says, “There seems to be more minors coming across the border illegally and unaccompanied. Perhaps those being smuggled may be hopeful of new laws being considered in Washington which could give them legal status in the U.S.”