IIMPACT investigation and seizure of West Valley Drop House results in the rescue of 22 undocumented aliens and the arrest of one suspected human smuggler

On July 8, 2011, at approximately 8:00 a.m., IIMPACT served a search warrant at a home located at 11407 W. Yuma Street in Avondale. IIMPACT Detectives, acting on a tip from a concerned citizen, located 22 undocumented aliens inside the home along with one suspected human smuggler. Three of the rescued undocumented aliens were taken to the hospital for medical treatment, including one who was admitted into intensive care. Of the 13 male victims in custody, 7 are Honduran, 3 are Guatemalan, one is from El Salvador and two are from Mexico. One of the males is a juvenile from Honduras. Of the 6 females in custody, 5 are from Honduras, one being a juvenile, and one female is from El Salvador.

It’s believed the undocumented aliens crossed into the U.S. in the last few days. Charges against the suspected male human smuggler, who is believed to be a Mexican National, are pending. He will be booked into the 4^th avenue jail in Phoenix. The 22 undocumented aliens will be turned over to ICE-ERO.

One of the 22 undocumented aliens, 24-year-old Mario Lopez-Ramirez, from Honduras, is believed to be involved with the notoriously violent “MS 13” gang. This group was implicated in at least three homicides. Lopez-Ramirez, who ran from officers as they entered the suspected drop house, is believed to have been the shooter in an attempted homicide in Washington, D.C. in December of 2009.

*his photo is available on request*

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).