The Drug Enforcement Administration arrested more than 100 illegal immigrants during a raid on what the agency called an “underground nightclub” in Colorado Springs, as part of the Trump administration’s crackdown on crime.
The raid was executed early Sunday morning, with DEA agents apprehending a total of 114 aliens illegally residing in the U.S. They were turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for processing and will likely face deportation.
More than 200 people were inside the nightclub, which federal authorities say has been frequented by MS-13 and Tren de Aragua gang members. Illicit drugs and weapons were seized during the operation.
“What was happening inside was significant drug trafficking, prostitution, crimes of violence. We seized a number of guns in there,” said Jonathan Pullen, special agent in charge at the DEA Rocky Mountain Division. The recovered drugs included cocaine and pink cocaine, known as tusi.
Over a dozen active-duty military service members were either armed security guards or patrons at the nightclub, the DEA official added. It remains unclear if the service members present were operating undercover. National Review contacted the DEA for comment.
The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division said it is conducting a joint investigation with the DEA regarding the matter and declined to provide additional information about the detained service members.
The raid was the result of a months-long investigation into the nightclub.
Video footage shared on social media showed many patrons pouring out of the club, with law enforcement starting to detain the individuals.
Two people were arrested on existing warrants, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said in announcing the DEA’s accomplishments following the raid. No person who was detained or arrested has been publicly identified.
Local officials reacted positively to the drug trafficking operation. Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade praised law enforcement’s efforts in upholding the rule of law and keeping his city safe, while Colorado Springs Police Chief Adrian Vasquez said his department is expected to arrest the alleged criminals.
President Donald Trump also commended the operation’s successful execution.
“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,” he wrote on Truth Social. “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!”
The raid comes as the Trump administration is set celebrate its first 100 days in office this week. The administration has prioritized border enforcement and mass deportations to bring down record illegal immigration numbers under the Biden administration. During a press conference Monday morning, Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, touted the massive 96 percent decrease in illegal border crossings along the southern border.
The White House argues its hardline immigration and crime policies are already making America safer.