The Foley City Council canceled a public hearing on the revocation of the business license for a restaurant that was raided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security last week.

Agents raided five Colt Grill BBQ & Spirits locations in Alabama and Arizona as part of an investigation into money laundering, labor exploitation and human smuggling. At least five immigration raids were made in Foley and approximately 15 others in Arizona, where the business is based.

The owners, Robert and Brenda Coulston, along with two others, were indicted on five counts. They are accused of conspiracy to bring illegal aliens to the United States, transporting, harboring and knowingly employing unauthorized aliens.

Prosecutors claim undocumented workers were hired through a fake cleaning company, then paid less than minimum wage. The pay was not appropriately reported, and taxes were not paid, the indictment stated.

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Foley Mayor Ralph Hellmich told 1819 News the city would wait until the federal case is decided before making any decisions on the restaurant's business license.

"I think that the people in Foley need to be aware that we're aware of the situation," Hellmich said. "We're monitoring it. We're watching the investigation, and as it clarifies itself, as these trials normally do, then any action that the city takes would be pending the outcome of that. In this country, you're not guilty until proven guilty."

Hellmich said the owners still maintain the opportunity to continue their lease with the building owner. Hellmich said the business's ABC license to sell alcohol may not be pulled until or unless the owners are convicted.

"So, we're going to watch the resolution at the federal level and to see what the outcome will be and at that point, we'll take the appropriate action," he continued. "It may be they resolve all these issues and if they do, and they're able to proceed. That's up to them."