Nearly 50 arrested following federal search warrants served across Alabama

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) – A complex and years long investigation has led to nearly 50 illegal immigrants being arrested across Alabama.

Federal agents served 14 search warrants in lee, Macon, Elmore, Autauga, Crenshaw and Baldwin counties.

The El Patron Mexican restaurant in Robertsdale was one of the targets.

According to the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama Kevin Davidson, these searches led to more than just arrests.

“Law enforcement recovered distribution amounts of methamphetamine powder, cocaine, crack, cocaine, assorted pills, more than $100,000 of bulk cash, and at least 20 guns,” Davidson said.

At the center of this investigation is Cesar Campos Reyes, who according to FBI Mobile, surrendered himself in Lee County hours after the search warrants were served.

According to a federal indictment, Campos Reyes fraudulently obtained a Paycheck Protection Program loan by falsely certifying documents tied to restaurants that were raided today. Federal agents say the loan funds totaled around $225,000.

Federal agents also going to other El Patron locations in Wetumpka, Opelika and Prattville.

Campos Reyes is said to be the registered agent for the businesses.

Steven Schrank, special agent in charge for HSI in Alabama and Georgia, said this investigation has uncovered a bigger issue.

“This operation was not about any one offense. It was about dismantling a criminal ecosystem, one that profits from the exploitation of people in the circumvention of our nation’s laws,” Schrank said. “In many of the locations we investigated, we uncovered, not only unlawful, unauthorized employment of aliens, but evidence that may point to a broader pattern of criminal conduct.”

Schrank also said businesses who knowingly hire non-citizens are creating a path for other problems.

“When employers knowingly hire illegal aliens, they create a magnet for exploitation, wage theft and unsafe conditions,” he said. “They also sidestep labor laws designed to protect workers, and dissuade honest employers. This creates an underground economy that is often tied to organized criminal activity and puts our communities at risk.”

Federal investigators also said Campos Reyes is the registered agent at the El Patron restaurant in Pensacola.

Although we’re told that business wasn’t raided today, when we stopped by on July 15, a sign on the door said, “closed due to an inconvenience.”

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