Federal agents raided a nightclub in Colorado Springs early Sunday morning, detaining more than 100 immigrants who were in the U.S. illegally, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Jonathan Pullen, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Rocky Mountain Division, confirmed the arrests at a news conference: “Only those here illegally or those with warrants were taken into custody.” He added, “Most partygoers were eventually released.”
The raid was massive. Around 300 agents from 10 federal agencies, along with local police and sheriff’s deputies, swarmed the location just before 4 a.m. Over 200 people were inside the club, and at least 114 of them were undocumented immigrants, officials said.
DEA agents had been watching the club for months. “This morning [DEA] apprehended over 100 illegal aliens at an underground night club frequented by Tda and MS-13 terrorists,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi in a post on X, referring to the Tren de Aragua and MS-13 gangs.
Authorities say they seized weapons and drugs, including cocaine, meth, and a synthetic drug known as pink cocaine. Two people were also taken in on outstanding warrants.
Videos shared by the Trump administration show agents breaking windows, flashing lights, and chaos as people try to flee. One clip shows a long line of detainees with their hands zip-tied, waiting to board a bus. Federal agents from ICE, DEA, FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and IRS criminal investigators were clearly visible on the scene.
Former President Donald Trump praised the operation on Truth Social, calling it a crackdown on “Drug Dealers, Murderers, and other Violent Criminals.”
“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,” Trump wrote, adding, “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Among those caught up in the raid were “more than a dozen active duty military” members, according to the DEA. A Fort Carson spokesperson told The New York Times that some of the soldiers were either working security or partying at the club.
“Illegal activities of any kind do not represent our military values,” the spokesperson said, adding that each case would be reviewed individually.
The Army’s Criminal Investigation Division is now involved in the probe.
Watch the CBS News report below:
