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Video: Immigrant Buffet Owner Arrested
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Restaurant Owner Arrested In Immigration Raid
12 People Detained

UPDATED: 6:10 pm EDT June 5, 2006

FAIRFIELD, Ohio -- The owner of a popular Chinese buffet was arrested Monday morning in an immigration raid.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials detained a total of 12 people during their sweep -- 10 at a home in a quiet neighborhood and two at Bee's Buffet on Nilles Road.

All are suspected of being in the U.S. illegally.

Authorities also seized evidence from both the home and restaurant, including cash, records, receipts and a new SUV.

Officials told News 5 that the owner of Bee's was asked to leave the country years ago but failed to comply with the order.

Fairfield City Councilman Steve Miller, who lives next door to the restaurant owner's home, said he was shocked by the roundup.

"I had no clue whatsoever there were that many people living in that home and that they were illegal," he said. "They took real good care of the property. You never heard anything or saw anything."

So far, no one has been charged, but authorities said the investigation has being going on for months.

ICE would not release the names of the detainees because their investigation is still open, but the 12 suspects -- nine men and three women -- could be charged as soon as Wednesday.
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