PHOENIX – Maricopa County Sheriff's detectives say they've arrested 12 illegal immigrants who were being smuggled into the country from Mexico.
They say two people believed to be the smuggling group's leaders fought with detectives Thursday night in an attempt to keep the remaining suspects from being arrested.
During the struggle, the 10 remaining illegal immigrants attempted to flee on foot into the desert but were captured.
All of the suspects were from Mexico and admitted to being in the country illegally. They told deputies they crossed the border near Nogales, Sonorita and Cananea and were on their way to New York, Texas, Colorado and Minnesota to find work.
They told deputies they paid between $1,700 and $4,000 to be smuggled into the country. The names of those arrested haven't been released.
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