YUMA, Ariz. –Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents responded to an anonymous tip Monday indicating the location of a residence possibly being used to harbor illegal aliens.
Yuma Station’s Integrated Targeting Team (ITT) coordinated with Stonegarden law enforcement partners, who conducted a welfare check on the residence. A subject claiming ownership of the residence consented to officials searching the home, which resulted in the apprehension of six illegal aliens.
The illegal aliens were transported to Yuma’s Central Processing Center where they were interviewed before being quickly expelled from the United States.
A “stash house” is a term used for a hideout that enables smugglers to move immigrants through the United States. From the outside, a stash house can look like any other residence, yet immigrants are often kept in filthy conditions without sufficient food, water or sanitary facilities. In extreme cases, immigrants have been beaten, raped or held hostage until their families pay a ransom. Human smuggling organizations need stash houses to continue running their smuggling networks on the U.S.-Mexico border.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials welcome assistance from the community. Individuals can report suspicious activity to the Border Patrol and remain anonymous by calling 1-877-872-7435 toll free. Reporting illicit activity could result in saving someone’s life.