Huntsville police arrest three in labor trafficking investigation

Authorities in Huntsville, Alabama, have arrested three individuals following a 17-day investigation into suspected labor trafficking at the Meteor Buffet. The investigation, dubbed ‘Operation Meteor Strike’, began on August 9 after a woman sought help from the Huntsville Police Department’s Special Task Force Rescuing and Investigating Kid Exploitation (STRIKE).

Investigators determined the victim had been brought to the area to work and was being compelled to continue working to repay a debt. She was also reportedly threatened with deportation if she did not comply. The situation had allegedly been ongoing for approximately two years.

On August 27, law enforcement executed six search warrants at various locations, including the Meteor Buffet and several residences in Madison County. The arrests include Caiyun Chen, 51, who faces a first-degree human trafficking charge; Chao Bin Zhang, 64, charged with conspiracy to commit a felony; and Baudilio Ordonez Gomez, 44, also charged with conspiracy to commit a felony.

The operation involved a collaborative effort between the Huntsville Police Department and several partners, including the FBI Birmingham Field Office, Homeland Security Investigations, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.