MESA, AZ – Deputies from the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office arrested more individuals late Monday on suspicions of being undocumented immigrants.
The deputies reportedly arrested 32 suspected undocumented immigrants as a result of three traffic stops and the discovery of a suspected drop house in the Mesa area.
Authorities did not disclose the exact location of the house.
Officials released four suspects during the traffic stop due because the individuals were U.S. citizens and deputies lacked evidence tying them to any human smuggling crimes, according to authorities.
Thirteen of those arrested were transported to the Maricopa County jail where they face charges of human smuggling, officials say.
The other 19 individuals arrested were reportedly turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement as suspected 'illegal' immigrants.
This marks the 72nd arrest the MCSO has made in relation to undocumented immigrants since the office lost its authority to act as federal ICE agents earlier this month.
