More than 200 people, including active-duty military personnel and over 100 illegal immigrants, were detained during a major raid at an unlicensed underground nightclub in Colorado Springs early Sunday morning, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
DEA Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Pullen said the multi-agency enforcement operation, conducted around 3:45 a.m., uncovered illegal drugs, weapons, and evidence of human trafficking. "Drugs and weapons have also been seized at this underground nightclub," the DEA's Rocky Mountain Division said in a post on X.
Among the 300 people inside the nightclub, 114 individuals were identified as migrants illegally present in the United States. They were taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, officials said. DEA officials also confirmed that alleged members of gangs, including Tren de Aragua and MS-13, were present at the venue.
DEA Rocky Mountain noted on social media, "@DHSgov has taken more than 100 illegal aliens into custody." Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that authorities seized cocaine, methamphetamine, and pink cocaine during the raid. "As we approach his 100 days in office @POTUS Trump's directive to make America safe again is achieving results!" Bondi said.
Federal authorities, assisted by around 10 agencies including the FBI, ATF, and local sheriff's departments, used drones, a helicopter, and an armored vehicle during the months-long investigation that culminated in Sunday's operation.
Jonathan Pullen told Denver 7 that about a dozen active-duty service members from Fort Carson were inside the club, either as patrons or working as armed security. "I think that everybody that goes into a nightclub at 3 o'clock in the morning knows what they're getting into," Pullen said, adding that Army CID would handle the military personnel investigations.
Property owner Mike Moon told ABC affiliate KRDO that he had "no idea" what was happening inside the leased space, which he described as an event center with a stage and a bar, but operating without a liquor license. "It's shocking to me that in this political climate that something like this was even happening and that people thought this was a good idea to do something like this," Moon said.
No injuries to law enforcement were reported, though officials said one man sustained life-threatening injuries attempting to escape by jumping out of a window.
President Donald Trump commented on the raid via Truth Social, writing, "A big Raid last night on some of the worst people illegally in our Country - Drug Dealers, Murderers, and other Violent Criminals."
Colorado Springs Police Chief Adrian Vasquez emphasized that local police participated "solely to address criminal violations," noting that the department is not authorized under state law to conduct immigration enforcement. "This operation was the result of a months-long investigation into serious criminal activity in our community," Vasquez said.
Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly criticized Colorado's sanctuary policies, telling The Gazette, "Colorado without question has been a hub for illegal immigration due to the sanctuary policies of the city of Denver in conjunction with radical legislation... I will do everything I can within Colorado law to support our federal partners."
