ICE, FBI raid illicit horse race gambling operation in Idaho, detain 105 illegal immigrants

Federal agents raided a horse racing facility in Idaho on Monday as part of a probe into an alleged criminal gambling operation taking place in Canyon County. The FBI took four people into custody at the scene, with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) taking 105 illegal immigrants into custody. 

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told The Post Millennial, "Over the weekend, ICE dismantled an illegal horse-racing, animal fighting, and a gambling enterprise operation out of a property known as La Cathedral Arena in Wilder, Idaho. As part of the operation ICE law enforcement officers arrested 105 illegal aliens. Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, we are dismantling criminal networks in the United States.”

Those that were taken into custody by the FBI and charged included Ivan Tellez, 37, of Idaho; Samuel Bejarano, 37, of Oregon; Dayana Fajardo, 39, of Oregon; and Alejandro Estrada, 56, of Idaho. They have been charged in a federal complaint. Tellez, the alleged owner and operator of the property, holds a conditional use permit to hold horse racing events at La Catedral Arena, however, the Idaho State Racing Commission said that Tellez had not applied for a license to conduct parimutuel betting at the property. 

FBI's Salt Lake City Field Office said that around 200 federal, state, and local law enforcement personnel executed the Oct. 19 warrant at La Cathedral Arena after receiving a tip in February about horse race gambling. An attorney with Ramirez-Smith Law told KTVB7 that ICE detainees were taken to locations in Idaho and Utah.

"Illegal gambling isn't a victimless crime," said Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls of the Salt Lake City FBI in a press release. "These operations can create an increase in violent crime, drug activity, and violence, putting communities at risk. I'm grateful for the collaboration and partnerships on the federal, state, and local level. Together, we're working to keep our communities safe."

Those agencies that took part in the operation included the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office; Homeland Security Investigations; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO); the Drug Enforcement Administration; Idaho State Police; Idaho Department of Corrections; Nampa Police Department; Caldwell Police Department; and FBI Seattle and Portland field offices.