10 migrants arrested on charges of smuggling themselves into U.S.

Apr. 25, 2006 12:00 AM

Maricopa County sheriff's deputies arrested 10 undocumented migrants Monday on suspicion of conspiracy to smuggle themselves into the United States.

A van carrying the immigrants tried to evade deputies about 4 a.m. when one of them attempted to stop the vehicle for speeding near Gila Bend, Sheriff Joe Arpaio said. Occupants said they paid fees between $500 and $1,300 to be smuggled into the country from Mexico, Arpaio added.

The Sheriff's Office has made 90 arrests since it began cracking down on immigrant smugglers. Arpaio expressed dismay that other law enforcement agencies weren't following suit.

"It would be nice if law enforcement agencies provided these illegals a free ride to my jails rather than turning them over to U.S. immigration officials for a free ride back to Mexico," he said. "I can't clean up the county by myself."

The sheriff is using a new Arizona anti-smuggling law enacted in August to go after the immigrants. The lawmaker who sponsored the new law has said county officials are violating the measure's intent, which was to go after smugglers not migrants.

- Lindsey Collom