Phoenix Cops Find Foreclosed Home Being Used As "Drop House" For Human Smugglers

In Phoenix, Arizona, KNXV-TV Channel 15 reports:

• Phoenix police discovered 10 undocumented immigrants on Tuesday afternoon after an escapee reported a drop house to officers. A Hispanic male contacted police just after 1 p.m. and reported that he had been held against his will at gunpoint and was beaten at a nearby drop house [...].

***

• Two suspected human smugglers fled the scene before detective arrived, according to police. Investigators say the victims told them that they had crossed the border into Arizona on July 12th and were taken to the house where they have been held. They also told investigators that the smugglers demanded $3,200 from each of them to secure their freedom.

• Neighbors told ABC15 that the home was a foreclosure that had recently been sold. Police say that two other drop houses have been discovered in the same neighborhood within the past few weeks.

Drop houses, a key link in human smuggling operations, are where smugglers hide illegal immigrants as they collect their fees and make their travel arrangements.

For the story and link to the video, see Escapee leads Phoenix police to drop house, 10 others found.