U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued a news release with more details on the execution of 16 criminal federal warrants on Dec. 5.

According to the news release, the warrants targeted nine restaurants and seven associated stash houses in Tucson and the surrounding counties.

The operation was "part of a multiyear investigation into a transnational criminal organization involved in labor exploitation, tax violations, and immigration violations," the news release said.

Forty-six undocumented migrants were arrested.

The news release said more than 100 agitators attempted to impede law enforcement operations, locking the gate to trap agents within the perimeter of the restaurant.

An HSI Special Response Team was mobilized to regain control of the situation, the news release said.

See Full Page