U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in collaboration with several law enforcement agencies, conducted a federal search warrant in Bartow County, Georgia, on March 26 as part of a criminal investigation. This operation involved the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Bartow County Sheriff’s Office, and other partners, focusing on alleged labor trafficking and related financial crimes at Wellmade Performance Flooring.
As a result, the owner of Wellmade Industries, Zhu Chen, along with his nephew Jiayi Chen, were arrested on state charges associated with labor trafficking. The investigation uncovered evidence leading to these arrests and resulted in the rescue of several individuals who were being exploited for labor.
Special Agent in Charge of ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Atlanta, Steven N. Schrank, emphasized the agency's commitment to combating labor trafficking. "This operation underscores our steadfast commitment to combat labor trafficking and hold accountable those who exploit vulnerable individuals for profit," Schrank noted. He added that the arrests and victim rescues "reflect the tireless efforts of HSI and our law enforcement partners."
The agency is urging the public to report any information related to labor exploitation, human trafficking, or financial crimes to the ICE Tip Line or via email. ICE emphasizes the importance of public assistance in safeguarding vulnerable people and ensuring justice.
For continuous updates and information about HSI’s activities, the public can follow @HSIAtlanta on X.
