The Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office says it assisted U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) on Thursday during a planned federal criminal operation at Nutrition Bar Confectioners on State Route 34 in Cato.
Sheriff Brian Schenck said the agency provided perimeter security, traffic management, and support for families potentially affected by the enforcement action. Federal agents executed a search warrant at the facility as part of an ongoing investigation into felony-level crimes. The warrant was requested and signed by a federal judge.
Members of the sheriff’s office coordinated with the Cayuga County Department of Social Services to ensure children from two local families were placed with approved caretakers. The sheriff emphasized that federal partners provided all overtime funding for deputies involved, and a mobile command center used during the operation had been purchased and funded by U.S. Border Patrol years ago.
Sheriff Schenck stressed that his agency does not have the authority to enforce civil immigration laws under New York State statutes and did not enforce such laws during the operation. He said the office’s role was strictly to support public safety and assist the federal investigation.
HSI continues to lead the investigation, and additional details will come from federal authorities.
You can read Sheriff Schenck’s full statement below:
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