Crime sweep takes in 68 illegal immigrants

Of the 83 people arrested, officials said Saturday that 68 were illegal immigrants. Those who were not illegal immigrants were arrested for crimes including drug possession and theft.

The sheriff’s office seized 725 pounds of marijuana and some methamphetamine during the operation, which ended Friday.

Sheriff Joe Arpaio said 17 previous sweeps resulted in more than 1,000 arrests. He said a recent rise in the number of human smuggling arrests prompted another sweep.