TUCSON, AZ – Despite the presence of violent “agitators,” Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations’ (HSI) Arizona branch executed a targeted enforcement operation alongside federal partners in Tucson earlier in December which saw dozens of illegal aliens apprehended stemming from a “multiyear investigation” into a transnational criminal outfit.
ICE issued a press release detailing a December 5th operation in the greater Tucson area where 16 federal search warrants were executed that targeted “nine restaurants and seven associated stash houses” allegedly connected to a “transnational criminal organization involved in labor exploitation, tax violations, and immigration violations,” according to the agency.
Reportedly 46 illegal aliens were apprehended during the multi-stop operation, with some of the individuals apprehended harboring criminal histories for offenses ranging from illegal reentry to sexual assault. However, agency officials say one of the restaurant locations raided during the operation attracted “over 100 agitators” who allegedly attacked federal law enforcement and proceeded to damage government vehicles.
“At one of the locations, over 100 agitators descended and attempted to impede law enforcement operations, locking a gate to trap agents within the perimeter of the restaurant,” the press release from ICE reads, further noting, “Agitators quickly turned violent, assaulting officers and slashing tires. An HSI Special Response Team was mobilized to regain control of the situation, where they were forced to deploy countermeasures.”
One of the more contentious aspects of the incident, which apparently occurred at a Taco Giro location in Tucson, involved the presence of newly-elected Democrat Rep. Adelita Grijalva at the violent protest, with authorities claiming she “joined the rioting crowd and attempted to impede law enforcement.” Rep. Grijalva claimed she was “pepper sprayed” by federal agents at the scene, a claim that was later disproven by video captured during the incident.
Two citizens were arrested during the incident, with local reports identifying the two suspects as Ryan Michael Seal and Sheryl Anna Rowe. Seal allegedly smashed the taillight of a government vehicle during the violent protest, while Rowe allegedly grabbed the agent placing Seal under arrest following the alleged vandalism. Both are now reportedly facing charges for obstruction and assaulting a federal officer, with Seal also facing a charge for damaging a government vehicle.
ICE HSI Arizona Special Agent in Charge Ray Rede issued a statement regarding the alleged criminal activities conducted by the chain of Taco Giro locations across southern Arizona, saying, “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.”
SIC Rede further emphasized in his statement, “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.”
ICE issued a press release detailing a December 5th operation in the greater Tucson area where 16 federal search warrants were executed that targeted “nine restaurants and seven associated stash houses” allegedly connected to a “transnational criminal organization involved in labor exploitation, tax violations, and immigration violations,” according to the agency.
Reportedly 46 illegal aliens were apprehended during the multi-stop operation, with some of the individuals apprehended harboring criminal histories for offenses ranging from illegal reentry to sexual assault. However, agency officials say one of the restaurant locations raided during the operation attracted “over 100 agitators” who allegedly attacked federal law enforcement and proceeded to damage government vehicles.
“At one of the locations, over 100 agitators descended and attempted to impede law enforcement operations, locking a gate to trap agents within the perimeter of the restaurant,” the press release from ICE reads, further noting, “Agitators quickly turned violent, assaulting officers and slashing tires. An HSI Special Response Team was mobilized to regain control of the situation, where they were forced to deploy countermeasures.”
One of the more contentious aspects of the incident, which apparently occurred at a Taco Giro location in Tucson, involved the presence of newly-elected Democrat Rep. Adelita Grijalva at the violent protest, with authorities claiming she “joined the rioting crowd and attempted to impede law enforcement.” Rep. Grijalva claimed she was “pepper sprayed” by federal agents at the scene, a claim that was later disproven by video captured during the incident.
Two citizens were arrested during the incident, with local reports identifying the two suspects as Ryan Michael Seal and Sheryl Anna Rowe. Seal allegedly smashed the taillight of a government vehicle during the violent protest, while Rowe allegedly grabbed the agent placing Seal under arrest following the alleged vandalism. Both are now reportedly facing charges for obstruction and assaulting a federal officer, with Seal also facing a charge for damaging a government vehicle.
ICE HSI Arizona Special Agent in Charge Ray Rede issued a statement regarding the alleged criminal activities conducted by the chain of Taco Giro locations across southern Arizona, saying, “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.”
SIC Rede further emphasized in his statement, “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.”
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