Phoenix, AZ is now the hostage/kidnap capital of the United States. Here's a sample of what's happening virtually every day, based on Phoenix Police Department (PPD) records obtained by Judicial Watch:

"One 16 yrs old female was 261 [raped] & multiple males were pistol whipped."

Please note that the Phoenix Police Department modified their alien smuggling incident form in May 2009. Kidnappings are no longer tracked, however, country of origin and gender of the illegal aliens is now recorded.

Other accounts tell of severe gaggings and beatings followed by other threats of torture. The torturers may belong to Mexican cartels and gangs, but they are setting up shop in suburban homes in the United States. Using the Arizona Public Record’s Act, Judicial Watched obtained PPD "Alien Smuggling Incidents" forms to study these incidents of kidnapping and torture.

Between January 2006 and January 2009, Phoenix Police (PPD) logged 274 alien smuggling incidents.^[1] While PPD conducts more thorough investigations on relevant cases, they use these logs for statistical purposes.^[2] During the three years of reports, the levels of kidnapping, violence, extortion, vulnerable victims, and use of firearms have all increased markedly. The use of drop houses increased from 2007 to 2008. In the same period, sexual assault and violence more than doubled. These incidents are a mere sample of illegal immigration violence reported by Phoenix Police and do not delve into the investigations by Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE), or other law enforcement agencies.

Drop houses are a symbol of the growing reach of cartels and gangs in the United States. As cartels seek a new way to profit, the investment in a human "commodity" offered high rewards with very little risk. According to the PPD, illegal alien smuggling exceeds drug smuggling in the city. Unlike other trafficking, alien smuggling poses insignificant jail time.^[i] In fact, criminal charges accounted for only 13.1% of all federal immigration prosecutions for 2004- 2006 at the same time that aggravated felony charges decreased.^[ii] Moreover, according to a report by U.S. Border Patrol, in 2004 only 6% of immigrant smugglers were prosecuted.^[iii] The typical length of prison time is only one month^[iv] and such prosecution rates have yet to show an effect on smugglers' operations.

Combined with minor consequences, alien smugglers (coyotes or "snakeheads") are well rewarded for their work; illegal aliens (pollos or chickens) pay between $2,500 to $50,000 depending on their country of origin for standard service.^[v] This is nearly ten fold the cost before 2001 at $300.^[vi] As Sergeant Joel Tranter from Phoenix Police Department said, "money is the common denominator" connecting narco-trafficking and alien smuggling. Illegal aliens, coming from Mexico, walk through the desert with a guide for 2-3 days, often facing dehydration and death (as demonstrated by a map on Humane Borders' website).^[vii] The aliens that survive the death march are then exposed to crammed conditions. Smugglers outfit diesel tractor trailer trucks and other vehicles to hide human cargo for the highway portion of the journey.^[viii] When they reach the United States, the coyotes deposit their load in a suburban home for a few days removing their shoes and often times clothes to inhibit them from leaving. Many of these drop houses are in Phoenix.

Phoenix is the fifth largest metro area in the United States and is on the frontline of illegal immigration due to its proximity to the Mexican border, access to major freeways, and its labor market.^[ix] The legitimate concern is that coyotes have established themselves in Phoenix and will continue to fund themselves with whatever means possible. Santa Muerte (Saint Death) is worshipped by smugglers and other criminals in Mexico who are smuggling her into the United States. In an effort to mark their territory, coyotes have murdered the former "friendly" smugglers^[x] and kidnapped one another.^[xi] Phoenix Police are particularly concerned that the kidnappings will continue to escalate and involve people unrelated to illegal immigration, resembling the crisis in Latin America.^[xii]

The map Judicial Watch has created is part of our project to document border issues. We will continue to update the map with new locations periodically and appreciate the generous support of those who wish to also document the truth.

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[1] One report appears to indicate a date of 2003, but was included in the stack requested and therefore included in the data.

[2] Phoenix Police insist that these are not formal documents, just checklists and prefer to call them "logs" or "forms." Nonetheless, the department uses them for formal statistical purposes.

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[i] "Feds Must Stop Coddling Immigrant Smugglers" Oakland Tribune, 24 May 2006; accessed 16 May 2008.

[ii] "Distribution of Individuals Charged by Type of Charge" Transactional Record Access Clearinghouse, 2007; accessed 18 June 2008.

[iii] Elliot Spagat, "Immigrant Smugglers avoid Prosecution" Associated Press, 19 May 2006; accessed 3 June 2008.

[iv] Som Lisaius, "Federal Prosecutions on Record Pace" KOLD News 13, 18 June 2008; accessed 19 June 2008.

[v] "A Line in the Sand: Confronting the Threat at the Southwest Border."

[vi] Mary Jordan.

[vii] "Humane Borders Water Station Maps and Warning Posters" Humane Borders; accessed 16 May 2008.

[viii] Dennis Wagner, "Human Trafficking's Profits Spur Horrors: Vicious Organizations Move Thousands of Aliens Through Valley Every Day" The Arizona Republic, published 23 July 2006; accessed 16 May 2008.

[ix] Michael Chow.

[x] Dennis Wagner.

[xii] Mark Flatten, "Living Dangerously: 'Bajadores' Hijack Migrants" East Valley Tribune, 17 May 2008; accessed 3 June 2008.