Major Immigration Operation in Colorado Springs: Over 100 Detained
In a significant early morning operation on Sunday, federal agents detained over 100 undocumented immigrants during a raid at an underground nightclub in Colorado Springs. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reported that approximately 200 people were inside the venue at the time of the raid, with 114 individuals identified as living in the U.S. illegally.
The operation, which commenced around 3:45 a.m. in the 200 block of South Academy Boulevard, was months in the making. Video footage shared by the DEA showed patrons being escorted out of the club, many with their hands raised. The detained individuals were placed on buses for processing by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and are likely facing deportation.
In addition to immigration violations, authorities discovered illegal substances including cocaine, methamphetamine, and a variant known as "pink cocaine" at the location. U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi indicated that the nightclub had ties to notorious gangs such as Tren de Aragua, MS-13, and Hell’s Angels, though it’s unclear how many of the detainees were affiliated with these organizations.
The raid involved over 300 federal officers from various agencies, including the DEA, ICE, Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI, and the U.S. Marshals Service. Local law enforcement, including the Colorado Springs Police Department, also participated, though Chief Adrian Vasquez emphasized that the police were only present to address criminal violations.
"This operation reflects our commitment to ensuring community safety. However, we are not authorized to enforce immigration laws under state regulations," Vasquez explained.
This story is developing, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
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Photo credit www.denverpost.com
