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SharePHOENIX: Thirteen Indian expatriates and owners of five motels in Mesa area have reportedly been indicted by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement for harbouring undocumented immigrants.
US Attorney for Arizona Paul Charlton said those named in the indictment put their freedom and business at risk assisting alien smuggling, according to the Arizona Republic newspaper reports.
The investigation was launched about nine months back and the Mesa operation has been the largest of its kind in Arizona.
Federal agents who raided the motels discovered 23 undocumented immigrants staying in the motels.
Several of those named in the federal grand jury indictment are reported to be related to each other, the report adds.
The owner of one of the motels is still being sought by the police. The motel owners are likely to face 10 years in prison and a fine of 250,000 dollars.
