Drug smuggling turns deadly in Arizona desert

STANFIELD, AZ - One person is dead and another is at the hospital after an overnight shooting in a desert area south of the Valley.

Officials say the victims may have been part of a drug smuggling operation.

"Yeah, it's daily life. I see guys with bags coming through here with marijuana and things," said Peter Allen, who lives near the shooting site, in the area of I-8 at Milepost 150, near Stanfield.

Residents and authorities say the area is known for problems with drug smuggling.

"This is a known point where people lay up before they come to I-8 and get picked up by they're next mode of transportation," said Chief Deputy of the Pinal County Sheriff's Department, Steve Henry.

He tells ABC15 a group of 15 people were resting in the desert overnight when they were approached by a "rip crew", who began firing shots and stole drugs the group was carrying.

One male victim made it to I-8 and called for help.

Another was later found dead less than a half mile away.

"Our indication is that the person who was found dead is part of the group. I can tell you the deceased person was armed," said Henry.

Authorities searched the area, using resources from Pinal County Sheriff's Office, Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

"Right now there's an active search for victims, witnesses and suspects," said Henry.

That search led them to the nearby town of Stanfield, where they detained six individuals who they think were involved in the incident.

"We're armed around here at the park, I have my 9 millimeter if I need to protect myself," said Allen.

Residents tell ABC15 the events late Wednesday into early Thursday are a common thing.

There's been three shootings in the same area in the last couple of years.