COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – Law enforcement conducted a large-scale operation at what they are calling an underground illegal nightclub early Sunday morning, according to the Rocky Mountain Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
The operation took place near Academy Boulevard and Airport Road at 3:45 a.m. Over 300 federal agents, in addition to local law enforcement officers, participated in the operation.
Officials said several different crimes took place at this nightclub, including drug trafficking, prostitution and violence. What the DEA said looked like pink cocaine was seized during the operation, as well as multiple weapons.
There were reportedly at least a dozen active-duty military personnel both working at the club as armed security and participating as patrons. Officials would not say which branch the service members were a part of, nor how many, if any, were in custody.
“It’s obviously concerning to have active-duty military involved. We’re working with our partners at Army CID on that case,” said DEA’s Rocky Mountain Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Pullen.
“There’s a lot of military bases here, so it’s not necessarily surprising, but we’re going to take that very seriously.”
The DEA said 114 people in the country illegally were taken into custody by ICE as a result of this operation.
Law enforcement is still investigating whether any of the people inside were a part of the Venezuelan gang Tren De Aragua (TDA).
“In our investigation, we have noticed TDA, MS 13 a few Hells Angels in this club. 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. We’re working through a lot of the information about who’s who.”
There were over 200 people inside, and at least half were detained or arrested. The DEA said a few of the people had arrest warrants. Other operations are pending across the city that will determine if there will be more arrests.
11 News reached out to Army CID for a statement and received the following response:
In response to the operation, Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade released the following statement:
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