ICE raids business made famous in Obama-produced Netflix documentary

The Moraine, Ohio community was shocked to learn on Friday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted a raid on Fuyao Glass America, located within the city.

Reports suggest that human smuggling and money laundering allegations were the reason behind the raid of the business, which gained notoriety when it featured in a 2019 Netflix documentary produced by Barack and Michelle Obama's production company, as Breitbart reports.

Authorities announce raid

It was announced on Friday that ICE launched raids of nearly 30 businesses in the vicinity of the aforementioned Chinese-owned plant, all related to smuggling and money laundering accusations.

The Dayton Daily News reported on a statement issued by a spokesperson from the federal agrency, revealing that “Homeland Security Investigations special agents, in collaboration with IRS Criminal Investigation and other law enforcement agencies, are conducting federal search warrants at Fuyao Glass America,” among other Montgomery County businesses.

According to the ICE statement, agents were on site “investigating allegations of financial crimes and labor exploitation.”

The release went on to note that there was a “large law enforcement presence in Dayton, Liberty Township, Miamisburg, Moraine and West Carrollton” but assured the public that there was no threat to general public safety about which residents needed to be concerned.

Authorities did, however, ask citizens to steer clear of areas in which law enforcement activities were underway.

Fuyao not target of probe

As Reuters reports, Fuyao Glass Industry Group confirmed the ICE search of its subsidiary in Ohio, stating that the raid was part of an ongoing probe of a third-party labor services company.

Fuyao Glass America, Inc., the company stated, is not targeted as part of the probe.

Notably, however, production at the Ohio facility was brought to a partial stop during the search, which came to an end late in the day on Friday.

The subsidiary's cargo transport and delivery functions were not impacted by the search, and current factory operations were deemed normal.

The Fuyao Ohio facility was notably featured in American Factory, a Netflix film associated with the Obamas' production enterprise, and the project ultimately went on to win an Academy Award.