WOBURN, Mass. —
Several Massachusetts homes and businesses were raided by federal agents early Tuesday morning in connection with a yearslong investigation involving the smuggling of Brazilians into the United States.
Agents were seen working at two restaurants located along Main Street in Woburn, The Dog House Bar & Grill and Taste of Brazil. Those restaurants are operated by Jesse James Moraes, 64, and his son, Hugo Giovanni Moraes, 43, both of Woburn, a court document shows.
A spokesperson for Homeland Security Investigations confirmed that the agency and the Department of Labor Office of the Inspector General served search and arrest warrants at both residences and businesses in Woburn. Woburn Police were also involved in the effort.
According to documents filed Monday in federal court, Jesse and Hugo Moraes face charges of encouraging and inducing an alien to come to, enter, and resident in the U.S. for financial gain; and conspiracy to commit and aiding and abetting the previous acts.
According to an affidavit, Jesse Moraes and his brother recruited individuals who wished to be smuggled into the United States through Mexico. Some, including whole families, were sent to Woburn.
The agent also wrote that Moraes' brother sometimes encourages the migrants to make false claims and falsify applications for asylum.
Jesse Moraes and Hugo Moraes employ some of the migrants in their restaurants, according to the affidavit.
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