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IIMPACT investigates same drop house twice within 15 months
IIMPACT investigators, locate, investigate and dismantle a heavily fortified drop house in west Phoenix arresting 11 coyotes and rescuing 19 illegal immigrant victims. Two coyotes were apprehended after leaving in a vehicle and nine others attempted to flee on foot once the home was surrounded. All suspects were taken into custody with none outstanding. This same residence was investigated by IIMPACT on May 10, 2008 where 58 illegal immigrants were located, five of which were arrested as suspects for kidnapping, extortion, aggravated assault and human smuggling.
On, August 17, 2009, the Phoenix Police Department (PPD) notified IIMPACT detectives about information they had received from family members of a victim being held for a ransom of $2,700 in a Phoenix drop house. The victim had been held against his will for about three days. The following day on August 18, 2009, IIMPACT detectives located the drop house at 9618 West Kingman Street, Phoenix. At about 3:40 p.m. IIMPACT investigators followed a man seen leaving the house in a vehicle. When PPD patrol officers attempted to stop the vehicle, the suspect fled from officers. In doing so, the suspect struck a vehicle in the intersection of 63rd Ave. and Lower Buckeye. The driver fled on foot leaving a passenger in the vehicle. No injuries were reported at the scene and the driver and passenger of the suspect vehicle were apprehended. A loaded handgun was located in the suspect vehicle.
At about 3:45 p.m. PPD Special Assignment Unit (SAU) surrounded the residence with the assistance of PPD officers, IIMPACT detectives, and air support provided by PPD Firebird helicopter. At about 4:00 p.m. PPD SAU made entry into the house and located 19 men inside. Several rooms were heavily fortified with thick plywood on the inside windows. All suspects and victims are believed to be Mexican Nationals and in the country illegally. The original victim, whose family called police, was located among the undocumented immigrant victims. Some of the victims reported to have been held for up to 24 days in the residence. They reported deplorable conditions and were deprived of food and water. The victims also reported being held against their will at gunpoint.
IIMPACT (Illegal Immigration Prevention & Apprehension Co-op Team) is a multi-agency project managed by GIITEM of the Arizona Department of Public Safety that is designed to “deter, disrupt and dismantle violent criminal organizations profiting from human smuggling.” In most IIMPACT cases, crimes of kidnapping, extortion, assault and human smuggling are prevalent. IIMPACT is comprised of investigators from the Phoenix Police Department, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS).
Information provided by the Department of Public Safety