22 arrested in two drug smuggling busts - Los Angeles Local News, Weather, and Traffic

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 immigration debate in Arizona reached a boiling point in 2007 when the state passed a groundbreaking law targeting those often blamed with fueling the nation's border woes: Employers...
    The immigration debate in Arizona reached a boiling point in 2007 when the state passed a groundbreaking law targeting those often blamed with fueling the nation's border woes: Employers who hire immigrants living in the U.S. illegally.
  • A judge has refused to halt Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer's policy denying driver's licenses for young immigrants who received work permits and avoided deportation under an Obama administration policy.
    A judge has refused to halt Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer's policy denying driver's licenses for young immigrants who received work permits and avoided deportation under an Obama administration policy.
  • Senators working on a bipartisan immigration bill have defeated an effort to speed up a new workplace identity verification system.
    A bipartisan group of House members announced a deal Thursday on sweeping immigration legislation, a breakthrough that could boost chances for one of President Barack Obama's top second-term priorities.
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

KTTV FOX 11
1999 S. Bundy Dr.
Los Angeles CA 90025

Main: (310) 584-2000
News Tips? (310) 584-2025

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