More than 100 immigrants were detained early Sunday at what officials described as an illegal Colorado nightclub.
Federal and local authorities raided the club in Colorado Springs around 3:45 a.m., local CBS affiliate WCNC reported. Between 200 and 300 people inside were initially arrested, including active-duty U.S. military members, some of whom were working at the club, police said.
Of the hundreds of detainees, 114 were suspected of being in the country illegally, cops told the Denver Post. Several people in the club were also cuffed on outstanding arrest warrants.
X / DEA
More than 100 immigrants were detained early Sunday morning in what officials described as an illegal nightclub in Colorado. (X / DEA)
Other party-goers who were not handed over to immigration authorities or military police were released, officials said.
President Trump’s administration has launched a widespread crackdown on immigration into the U.S. Federal authorities have rounded up suspected gang members, canceled thousands of student visas and even deported multiple U.S. citizen children.
“This operation was the result of a months-long investigation into serious criminal activity in our community,” Colorado Springs police chief Adrian Vasquez said in a statement.
Videos from Sunday morning’s raid showed dozens of people outside the club with their hands up or in handcuffs. Witnesses said officers initially entered through a window, sending panicked partiers out the front door and into the hands of waiting agents outside.
X / DEA
Federal and local authorities raided the club in Colorado Springs around 3:45 a.m. (X / DEA)
The building owner told local ABC affiliate KMGH that he had no idea an illegal nightclub was operating inside.
“I’ve never even seen a lot of trash in the parking lot to even suspect that anything like an after-hours nightclub is going on,” Mike Moon told the outlet. “It’s written in their lease. They’re not allowed to do any illegal activity.”
