SAVANNAH, Ga. () — has secured the search warrant permitting federal agents to access the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant in Ellabell on Thursday.
Authorities have confirmed the arrest of 475 individuals during the coordinated multi-agency operation. The magistrate judge in the Southern District of Georgia has unsealed the warrant that authorized the raid.
The warrant includes photos of the campus with the exact building law enforcement intended to search highlighted.
The warrant specifies that the search was focused on the lithium battery cell manufacturing plant at the HMGMA site, which is still under construction. Covering approximately 35 acres, the area includes not only the main facility but also any additional structures and surrounding areas associated with the premises.
According to the warrant, the operation was particularly interested in locating four individuals: Andreina Fuentes-Tovar, Kevin Zavaleta-Ramirez, David Zavaleta-Ramirez, and Julio Gonzalez Alvarado.
The warrant included photos of those individuals but did not openly state the reasons why the federal government was interested in them.
Officials reportedly intended to seize:
- All records relating to violations of:
- conspiracy to conceal, harbor, or shield aliens
- concealing, harboring, or shielding aliens
- unlawful employment of aliens, hereinafter referred to as the target offenses, those violations involving the Target Premises and occurring after March 1, 2025, including:
- Employment records for current and former employees
- Any employee identification documents and immigration documents in any form
- Any correspondence with government agencies pertaining to employment
- Documents and records pertaining to the ownership and management of HL-GA Battery Company, LLC, TK LLC, Autorica LLC, SBY America, Beyond Iron Construction LLC, and Steel Brothers Development, Inc.
Access the full warrant below:
