On December 5, ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Arizona, in cooperation with federal partners, executed 16 criminal federal search warrants across nine restaurants and seven stash houses in Tucson and surrounding areas. The action was part of a multiyear investigation into a transnational criminal organization accused of labor exploitation, tax violations, and immigration offenses.
During the operation, authorities arrested 46 undocumented immigrants. Among those detained were individuals previously arrested for sexual assault and illegal re-entry, which is classified as a felony.
The enforcement faced significant resistance at one location when over 100 people attempted to disrupt the operation by locking agents inside a restaurant's perimeter. According to officials, some individuals assaulted officers and damaged government vehicles by slashing tires. A Special Response Team from HSI was called in to restore order and used countermeasures to manage the situation. Two team members sustained injuries—a bicep rupture and a knee injury—and both have received medical treatment.
U.S. Representative Adelita Grijalva reportedly joined the crowd during the confrontation and tried to hinder law enforcement officers. Officials stated that she later posted on social media claiming she had been pepper sprayed, which they described as false.
Law enforcement arrested two U.S. citizens for assaulting a federal officer, damaging a government vehicle, and obstruction; the United States Attorney’s Office has agreed to prosecute them.
“This multiyear investigation that targeted TCOs alleged to be involved in human smuggling, human trafficking derived from peonage resulted in the shutdown of the restaurants,” said acting Special Agent in Charge Ray Rede. “These enforcement actions have unequivocally disrupted this criminal organization’s ability to exploit our lawful labor and system of commerce. This agency will not stand for it and those seeking to continue such practices are on notice — there will be more enforcement operations in Arizona.”
The operation involved collaboration with IRS - Criminal Investigation, Enforcement and Removal Operations, U.S. Border Patrol, as well as other federal, state, and local agencies. The targeted organization allegedly operated through a family-owned restaurant chain serving Tucson, Sierra Vista, Green Valley, Casa Grande, and Apache Junction.
Officials indicated that this remains an ongoing investigation with limited further information available at this time. DHS and ICE HSI reaffirmed their commitment to working with partners to protect national security interests.
