CANYON COUNTY, Idaho — A large law enforcement operation is underway at a private racetrack on Peckham Road in Wilder.
Neighborhood Reporter Brady Caskey is at the racetrack. Caskey is reporting that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), DEA, FBI, Border Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations, Nampa Police Department, the Canyon County Sheriff's Office, SWAT, and the Canyon County Sheriff's Office Crime Lab are present.
Some of the officers and agents are masked.
Neighborhood Reporter Steve Dent is at the scene, where he says federal law enforcement officials, including ICE, are detaining individuals at a private racetrack.
Many of the people at the scene are being questioned by ICE, the FBI, and Border Patrol.
Some of those people have their hands zip-tied or chained and are being loaded into vans. Others have been released, including children, and still more are being processed.
WATCH: A group of people in chains is loaded into a van
A criminal complaint obtained by Idaho News 6 shows that officers are seeking to arrest Ivan Tellez, the owner of La Catedral Area. Tellez, who is a legal permanent resident of the United States, is accused of running an illegal gambling business at the private racetrack, along with numerous others, including multiple horse owners.
The complaint alleges that Tellez and his associates made and accepted pool bets on Facebook in connection with the horse racing operation. The State of Idaho requires a license to operate horse race-based betting.
If convicted, Tellez could face up to five years in prison and be forced to pay upwards of $250,000 in fines.
VIDEO: Two children reunite with their family at the scene
A person on scene, who says her husband is being detained, tells Brady Caskey that there was a family racing event being held at the racetrack earlier today.
WATCH: Law enforcement officials from various local, state, and federal agencies in Wilder
Videos show officials in military gear with German Shepherds and rifles asking the crowd of people to stand back. Dozens of people seem to be trying to talk with the officials.
A video from a viewer also shows a helicopter circling in the sky above the property.
Earlier this afternoon, lawyers and attorneys with ACLU of Idaho said they were heading to the location, as well as Poder of Idaho. A spokesperson with ACLU says they were told the law enforcement officials on scene were using rubber bullets.
A community meeting will be held at the Wilder Gym at 7:30 p.m. for those who haven’t been able to find their family members.
Idaho News 6 will continue to cover this story as more information becomes available.
