22 arrested in two drug smuggling busts - Philadelphia News, Weather and Sports from WTXF FOX 29

22 arrested in two drug smuggling busts

Posted: Updated:
1/29 operation (left), 2/4 operation (right) 1/29 operation (left), 2/4 operation (right)
  • Immigration

  • The Senate Judiciary Committee is aiming this week to pass a landmark immigration bill to secure the border and offer citizenship to millions, setting up a high-stakes debate on the Senate floor.
    Senate supporters of far-reaching immigration legislation accepted minor changes in public while negotiating over more sweeping alterations in private Monday as they drove toward expected Judiciary Committee approval by...
  • Representatives of Pinal County and the federal government have started discussing the possibility of renegotiating the county's money-losing contract to house federal immigration detainees in the county jail in...
    Representatives of Pinal County and the federal government have started discussing the possibility of renegotiating the county's money-losing contract to house federal immigration detainees in the county jail in Florence.
  • The current system of immigration enforcement and deportation produces a constant flow of people north and south that provides the cartel with a vulnerable labor pool and steady source of revenue.
    The current system of immigration enforcement and deportation produces a constant flow of people north and south that provides the cartel with a vulnerable labor pool and steady source of revenue.
GILA BEND, Ariz. -

In the past week, Maricopa County Sheriff's deputies have arrested 22 people and seized 1,100 pounds of marijuana in two separate incidents.

On Jan. 29, deputies arrested one U.S. citizen and three illegal immigrants and confiscated 160 pounds of pot. Deputies learned the men each paid between $2,000 and $6,000 to be smuggled into the United States. They all admitted they were from Mexico and crossed the border at Sonoita.

On Feb. 4, deputies along with Border Patrol agents observed people loading bales of marijuana onto the bed of a pickup truck, in a desert area in southeastern Maricopa County.

The driver left the area and failed to yield to police lights. He stopped and fled to a nearby business. He was eventually taken into custody, and it was determined that he was a U.S. citizen. 17 suspected illegal immigrants were detained in the desert.

The illegal immigrants were charged with conspiracy to commit human smuggling, and five of them, including the U.S. citizen, were charged with drug trafficking additionally.

Powered by WorldNow

WTXF-TV
330 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106-2796

Phone: (215) 925-2929
Fax: (215) 982-5494

Didn't find what you were looking for?
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 Fox Television Stations, Inc. and Worldnow. All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Ad Choices