ICE Raid Shuts Down Arizona Restaurants Over Illegal Activities

• ICE, combined with other federal and local agencies, raided Colt Grille on July 15 and arrested several people over illegal activities.
• All locations, including the popular Prescott location, were shut down.
• The investigation is ongoing due to serious allegations.

ICE Raids Shut Down Popular Prescott Restaurant

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and local law enforcement collaborated in a stunning federal raid on a popular Arizona restaurant.

Locals in Prescott were stunned when the well-liked Colt Grille on Whiskey Row abruptly closed its doors following the sweeping federal raid.

READ: Arizona's Illegal Immigration Crackdown Coming

However, the Prescott location was not the only one affected. Agencies executed search and arrest warrants at all Colt Grille locations across Yavapai County. Locations across Arizona were also affected; restaurants in Cottonwood, Prescott Valley, and Sedona were also raided and shut down.

Get our free mobile app

The Allegations Against Colt Grille

The investigation identified serious allegations: money laundering, labor exploitation, and human smuggling.

Four individuals have been arrested in relation to the money laundering allegations, and more than 20 others were taken into custody on immigration-related charges.

READ: What's The Law In AZ? Is It Illegal to Park in Front of a House?

Coordinated Federal and Local Operations

ICE and Homeland Security coordinated their efforts with agents from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the U.S. Department of Labor, and local law enforcement agencies.

The operation involved 28 federal search warrants and four arrest warrants. The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office emphasized that the investigation will continue, and more charges could follow. All of the popular Western-themed barbecue locations remain closed, creating an uncertain future for the restaurant.

Sources: Sedona Red Rock News | Fox10 Phoenix