Federal operation at Lake Street restaurant that drew protests was one of 8 across Twin Cities

Eight raids across the Twin Cities on Tuesday — including one that drew protesters to a south Minneapolis Mexican restaurant — were part of an investigation into a "transnational criminal organization," according to federal officials.

In the aftermath of the search at Taqueria y Birrieria las Cuatro Milpas on Lake Street, which was focused on human and drug trafficking as well as money laundering, city officials Wednesday criticized protesters for throwing items or getting into altercations at the scene. Two people were arrested later nearby with one police officer suffering minor injuries. But city officials also called the law enforcement agencies' militarized response, which included masked agents and an armored vehicle, "tone deaf."

"When community members that are already rightfully afraid see some of these heavily armored vehicles, with people in fatigues getting out of them, look, I understand," said Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. "That's understandable fear. I had the same concern myself."

Social media photos and videos Tuesday showed armed federal agents concentrated around the restaurant at 1526 E. Lake St. The scene caused worry among bystanders that an immigration raid was underway.

Federal agencies have denied that the investigation was related to immigration enforcement. Instead, they said it was part of a broader, national initiative targeting criminal activity. Records tied to the search are under seal.

Speaking alongside the mayor and Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara, Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt said the raid was one of several carried out Tuesday, the others taking place in Hennepin County and other metro-area counties, targeting a "transnational criminal organization" also suspected of identity fraud.

One of those searches included the restaurant owner's second location in Bloomington, at 415 E. 78th St., police confirmed.

The federal agency leading Tuesday's investigations described the initiative as a "groundbreaking criminal operation" that marks a "new chapter in how we confront complex, multidimensional threats."

"From drug smuggling to criminal labor trafficking, this operation showcases the breadth of our collective missions and the strength of a united front," said Jamie Holt, ICE Homeland Security Investigations' St. Paul special agent in charge.

Witnesses reported seeing a truck from the Department of Homeland Security and masked agents bearing DEA, FBI, ICE and later, ATF badges along Lake Street. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in St. Paul said its agents came to the scene to assist with the crowd, supplemented by personnel from the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office and Minneapolis police.

Video from the scene showed protesters yelling "shame" and tussling with law enforcement near Lake Street and Bloomington Avenue. Meanwhile, a firestorm of social media posts decried the raid, assuming it pertained to immigration.

Law enforcement officials criticized protesters, saying some fought with federal officers during the search. They also cited the responses of some elected city officials.

"It is not OK for people to obstruct law enforcement when we are trying to obtain evidence," Witt said.

O'Hara defended his department's response as he spoke alongside Frey saying that although MPD did not participate in the operation, officers ensured the safety of the public and federal agents. However, he acknowledged in a Wednesday evening statement regarding the federal search that the "manner in which it was executed was tone deaf to the reality of tensions and fear in our community." O'Hara said he informed federal authorities about his concerns. He also reaffirmed Minneapolis police would continue to not participate in the enforcement of federal immigration laws.

After the initial operation, Minneapolis police intervened three hours later in a separate property-damage report involving a crowd surrounding an occupied vehicle at E. 31st Street and Bloomington Avenue about a block away from Las Cuatro Milpas, according to police. Two people were arrested under suspicion of assaulting an officer, and that officer sustained minor injuries.

O'Hara said the "irresponsible misinformation shared on social media by some officials" Tuesday did not help the situation.

"That kind of rhetoric is harmful and only served to inflame tensions, increasing the danger to everyone involved," O'Hara said in a statement.

Witt said she's organized meetings with federal partners to address some of her concerns.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, calls to Las Cuatro Milpas went directly to voicemail. Owner Hector Hernandez — who has not been charged in connection with the search — did not respond to a Minnesota Star Tribune reporter's attempts to reach him at his residence or via email.

In a 2019 Star Tribune story regarding the Latino community's fear of immigration raids, Hernandez, who is Mexican American, said he posted "Make tacos, not walls" signs on the building's exterior to be funny.

In a 2020 interview with the online food and drink publication Heavy Table, he explained that he moved his family from Mexico to California before coming to Minnesota and opening his restaurant in 2018, with a second location in Bloomington.

"I brought all my cooks from Mexico, [and] I got them work permits," he told the publication. "Every single person that I have that's from Mexico … they've been working in the restaurant business for the last 15 or 20 years."

On Wednesday, neighborhood business owners said the impact of the raid extended beyond Hernandez's business.

Abdi Adam, manager at the Halwo Kismayo and Grill next door, said police blockades were in place until 5 p.m. Tuesday, and customers thought his restaurant shut down.

Colonial Market owner Daniel Hernandez said his business and many others near Las Cuatro Milpas suffered Wednesday due to fear of immigration officials.

"We survived George Floyd, we survived COVID, now we have to deal with this," Hernandez said outside of Taco Taxi, a nearby restaurant that is usually busy but where just handful of customers were eating.

"I want my community to not be scared … spend their hard-earned money and know that this is a safe place where there is no immigration raids."