A criminal investigation is underway Tuesday at the burned Lineage warehouse in Boyle Heights.
Agents with California’s Department of Toxic Substances Control Criminal Investigations Bureau are serving a search warrant at the site.
An agent with the department confirmed that the Office of Criminal Investigations is the lead agency but declined to comment further. Several investigators with LA County District Attorney badges were also present and declined to comment beyond saying a search warrant was being served.
The officers accompanied three people in plain clothes into the facility. It’s unclear if they were Lineage employees.
A person who works at the facility said the operation started earlier Tuesday morning. Surveillance video from a nearby business showed about a dozen mostly unmarked cars arriving at the facility around 7:30 a.m. Employees initially believed Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were involved, but soon found they were not.
The office of Councilmember Ysabel Jurado said it was aware of reports of law enforcement activity and issued the following statement:
“We understand the concern these reports are causing, particularly for workers and their families. We are working to verify which agencies are involved, the purpose of the activity, and whether there are any immediate impacts on workers or nearby residents. We will share confirmed information as it becomes available. Boyle Heights deserves clear answers and a recovery that puts community health and safety first.”
The fire at the cold storage warehouse broke out on June 17 and burned for eight days. The fire and cleanup of millions of pounds of rotting food caused a flood of issues for residents living in Boyle Heights, East LA and surrounding communities, including an infestation of flies and pests, nausea and headaches, higher utility bills and other health concerns.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
