PHOENIX -- Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio says arrests reached a milestone of 30,000 under the 287(g) program aimed at stopping illegal immigration.

The sheriff made his announcement as county crime sweep teams fanned out looking for human smugglers and those in the country illegally.

The sheriff said more than two dozen suspects were arrested in the first day of the sweep, with 18 jailed on felony human smuggling charges.

Arpaio answered questions about the cost of the sweeps, saying they’re covered by $1.6 million per year provided by the state legislature for stopping illegal immigration.

The sheriff also said his human smuggling unit works the detail full time and that SWAT and other units used for backup are on the job anyway and don’t cost taxpayers extra money.