New Foley Restaurant Raided Over Alleged Money Laundering

OBA Staff • July 16, 2025

Homeland Security investigates new Foley restaurant

Homeland Security investigates new Foley restaurant

Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — Foley Police Department assisted Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in serving a search warrant related to a criminal investigation at Colt Grill in Foley. HSI reported that the raid was related to illicit money laundering, labor exploitation and human smuggling.


The Colt Grill BBQ & Spirts is affiliated with another operator in Arizona. Other raids by Department of Labor, IRS - Criminal Investigations and ICE took place at Arizona locations and resulted in arrest.


A spokesperson for Homeland Security Investigations stated "Today’s planned enforcement activity resulted in the arrest of four targets who are alleged to have participated in money laundering among other charges. Over 20 immigration related arrests also took place, but that number has not been finalized as interviews are ongoing."

 

Law enforcement added "The success of this operation is a result of the close coordinated efforts by our partner law enforcement agencies - all who had significant impact in this three-year long federal investigation."


“We do not tolerate criminal activity of any kind, especially in our Foley businesses,” said Ralph Hellmich, Mayor of Foley.


In Arizona, authorities were investigating the affiliated restaurants. See Arizona News Coverage HERE.


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