Restaurant owner in Lake Street raid spent weeks in ICE detention

Francisco Estrada de Haro, owner of Las Cuatro Milpas restaurants in the Twin Cities, was detained by ICE following federal raids that targeted a transnational criminal organization suspected of drug and human trafficking. His detention began on June 3 and lasted for weeks at Freeborn County Jail, where he was held for an immigration case, though he has not been charged with any crime. Reports indicate he has since been moved, but his current location remains undisclosed. Estrada de Haro is known by two names, complicating the verification of his custody status. His attorney, Elvis Abanonu, confirmed that he was detained for an immigration issue but denied any wrongdoing.

The raids were conducted after authorities discovered 900 pounds of meth in a Bloomington storage unit, linked to one of the properties owned by James Barger, who denied knowledge of the drugs. Barger, who co-owns Las Cuatro Milpas, emphasized that neither he nor the restaurants are involved in any criminal activities. Their partnership involves an 80%-20% ownership split, with Barger holding a minority stake primarily for loan purposes.