[…] An investigation led authorities to the four people and to raids at the Midamar Corporation, 1105 60th Ave. SW, which bills itself as a leading U.S.-based Halal food brand, and Pizza Daddy, 1539 First Ave. SE…

IOWA – […]  Three Cedar Rapids men and a woman were arrested and each had an initial appearance in U.S. District Court Tuesday. They each face two charges of delivering a package or container to a common carrier without knowledge that it contains firearms and ammunition and conspiracy.

The defendants are: Ali Herz, 50; his brother, Bassem Herz, 29; his son, Adam Herz, 22; and Sarah Zeaiter, 24, the spouse of Bassem Herz. All told U.S. District Chief Judge Linda Reade they were U.S. citizens, except Zeaiter – she was born in Lebanon. Reade also said Zeaiter was unemployed, a “student” and had no assets, according to her financial affidavit for a public defender. Her co-defendants also appeared with public defenders.
[…] Law enforcement officials fanned out across the city Tuesday morning to conduct several raids, including at Midamar, Pizza Daddy and a residence on Catskill Street SW.
“Homeland Security Investigations is conducting a joint federal/state/local law enforcement operation in various locations around Cedar Rapids today,” Shawn Neudauer, public information officer for ICE and Homeland Security, said in a statement. (read full media report)
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