MCSO: Deputies arrest 16 undocumented immmigrants, child taken into custody

PHOENIX - The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Human Smuggling Unit took into custody 16 illegal immigrants and a 6-year-old child, who were being smuggled by van last night.

According to a news release, the immigrants were on their way to seven different states and had paid between $300 and $3,500 to be smuggled here from Mexico.

Officials say that the 6-year-old child was unaccompanied and claimed to be from El Salvador.

They were found traveling through the northern part of Maricopa County.

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio booked the immigrants into his jail and turned over the child to Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials.

Over 51,000 suspected illegal immigrants have been arrested and investigated by Sheriff Arpaio and his team and they plan to continue these operations.