An informant's tip led to a raid on a potato processing plant in Monte Vista that resulted in 19 allegedly illegal workers being detained.

The Pueblo Chieftain reported it had obtained court documents detailing the 11-month investigation that led to the raid Tuesday.

Three U.S. citizens working at the plant were arrested.

The informant, an employee, reported the plant manager had publicly stated that he preferred illegal immigrants because they were cheaper to hire.