Large group of illegal immigrants found in Ariz.

LUKEVILLE, Ariz. (AP) — Border agents have arrested an unusually large group of illegal immigrants in the western Arizona desert just north of Mexico.

Border Patrol Agent Eric Cantu said today that surveillance operators spotted a group of more than 100 people walking about 15 miles west of Lukeville, Ariz., Friday morning.

When agents responded, they were able to arrest 22 people but the rest of the group scattered.

Cantu says a helicopter team found much of the group hiding in thick brush, and agents arrested 106 more illegal immigrants in the group.

The smugglers and other suspected illegal immigrants may have gotten away.

The 128 people who were apprehended have either been returned to Mexico or are jailed because of prior convictions.