CNN
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More than 100 immigrants, allegedly in the country illegally, were detained in Colorado Springs after an overnight raid at what authorities described as an underground nightclub in a strip mall.
“What was happening inside was significant drug trafficking, prostitution, crimes of violence,” Jonathan C. Pullen, the Special Agent in Charge at the DEA Rocky Mountain Division, said at a news conference Sunday morning. “We seized a number of guns in there.”
Over a dozen active-duty military members were also at the club during the raid, and federal officials said some were working at the illicit operation. “We had active-duty service members who were running security at the club and involved in some of these crimes,” Pullen said.
Authorities also found drugs at the underground club, including cocaine and so-called pink cocaine, also known as “tusi,” Pullen said.
The nightclub had been under surveillance by the DEA and partner agencies for “a number of months,” according to Pullen, who said authorities documented drug trafficking, prostitution, and the presence of alleged members from the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, MS-13, and the Hells Angels.
“I don’t have the information about whether those members were there tonight, but we’re still working through a lot of that, because we have so many people in custody,” Pullen said.
“Colorado Springs is waking up to a safer city this Sunday morning,” he said.
Hundreds of agents across over 10 federal agencies participated in the raid, Pullen said. Agents from the FBI, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, the Department of Homeland Security and local law enforcement joined in carrying out the operation, the DEA said on X.
DEA special agents announced their presence prior to entering the nightclub and occupants were given multiple warnings to come out, the Rocky Mountain Field Division said on X. “200 people were inside – at least 114 in the US illegally. In addition, more than a dozen active duty military were patrons or security guards,” it said.
Those believed to be in the US illegally were taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Pullen said, while the active-duty service members were handed over to the US Army Criminal Investigation Division.
Video posted online by the DEA Sunday morning showed federal officers breaking a large front window of a nondescript building as people fled through the door into the night, only to be stopped by additional armed federal agents.
Other DEA video shows agents addressing occupants from outside the building: “This is the police with a search warrant demanding entry. Exit the front door one at a time with nothing in your hands, held high above your head.” The message was followed by instructions in Spanish.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi posted on X that two people had been arrested on outstanding warrants during the raid.
“Trump’s directive to make America safe again is achieving results!” she posted.
CNN has reached out to ICE for more details on the Colorado Springs raid.
A spokesperson for Army Criminal Investigations Division told CNN that it was conducting a joint investigation with the DEA, which was the lead agency. “As this is an ongoing investigation, we are unable to provide additional information at this time,” the spokesperson said.
President Donald Trump praised the raid, saying on TruthSocial it had targeted some of the worst people in the US, whom he alleged judges are reluctant to deport.
Alongside a video of agents entering the building, President Trump wrote: “A big Raid last night on some of the worst people illegally in our Country — Drug Dealers, Murderers, and other Violent Criminals, of all shapes and sizes, and Judges don’t want to send them back to where they came from. If we don’t win this battle at the Supreme Court, our Country, as we know it, is FINISHED! It will be a Crime ridden MESS. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade, who was elected as an independent, also lauded the effort on Sunday, saying: “Criminal activity of any kind, from anyone, will not be tolerated in Colorado Springs. This investigation and the execution of these warrants are the result of clear evidence of serious criminal conduct.”
The office of Colorado Governor Jared Polis, a Democrat, expressed support for cracking down on illegal drugs and firearms, writing in a statement to CNN affiliate KRDO: “Governor Polis is focused on making Colorado safer for everyone, and that includes cracking down on illegal drugs and firearms. We await the details from the DEA and federal government on this action.”
The Trump administration’s mass deportation program has been facing legal challenges.
Earlier this month, the Supreme Court paused the deportation of immigrants potentially subject to the Alien Enemies Act.
Meanwhile, the Justice Department has repeatedly asserted it will investigate any local officials who do not assist federal authorities with immigration matters.
Last week it charged a Milwaukee County Circuit Judge with allegedly helping an undocumented immigrant avoid arrest, in what her peer described as “a message to chill the judiciary.”
This story has been updated with additional information.
