Early Sunday morning, federal agents executed a raid on an underground nightclub in Colorado, detaining over 100 individuals identified as undocumented immigrants, as stated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
The operation took place in a Colorado Springs club, located approximately 70 miles south of Denver. Officials reported that the venue was occupied by over 200 patrons, including 114 who were illegally present in the country. Additionally, several active-duty U.S. military personnel were also apprehended.
During the raid, agents discovered weapons and illegal drugs, such as cocaine, methamphetamine, and a substance referred to as pink cocaine.
Jonathan C. Pullen, the special agent in charge of the DEA’s Rocky Mountain Division, mentioned in a press briefing that law enforcement had been monitoring the club for months due to ongoing activities related to “drug trafficking, prostitution, and violent crimes.”
Mr. Pullen indicated that the undocumented individuals detained were transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He noted that military members were “providing security at the club and were involved in some of the illegal activities.”
These service personnel were passed to the U.S. Army’s criminal investigation division, which did not immediately comment on the matter.
Pullen added that during the investigation, law enforcement observed members of gangs like Hell’s Angels, MS-13, and Tren de Aragua present in the club.
“I cannot confirm whether those individuals were there that night, but we are still working through the details as many people remain in custody,” he explained.
The DEA and several Trump administration officials shared videos and images of the raid on their social media platforms on Sunday.
One video from the DEA’s Rocky Mountain Division on X shows agents breaking a window amidst flashing red and blue police lights. As they gain entry, numerous individuals flee the building with their hands raised while agents appear to point weapons at them.
Another clip displayed a long line of detainees with their arms bound behind their backs.
The agency stated that the undocumented immigrants taken into custody were put on buses “for processing and likely future deportation.”
Mr. Pullen mentioned that around 300 law enforcement agents from various agencies participated in the raid.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi commended the operation on social media, announcing the arrest of two people who had active warrants.
This raid exemplifies the Trump administration’s ongoing campaign against illegal immigration, which is facing challenges in accumulating enough arrests to fulfill the President’s mass deportation intentions.
The administration has highlighted its raids in major cities and its deportation flights to Latin America, employing tactics that have significantly disturbed immigrant communities.
Efforts on Sunday to contact local immigrant advocacy organizations for a response were not immediately successful.
Criticism has been directed at President Trump’s administration for mistakenly deporting individuals, including U.S. citizens, caught in the enforcement actions.
A federal judge remarked on Friday that the Trump administration had deported a 2-year-old U.S. citizen to Honduras “without a proper process” and contrary to her father’s wishes.
