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DEA raid in Colorado Springs: Fort Carson officials confirm presence of soldiers

DEA estimates around 200 people were inside the nightclub at the time of the raid

Fort Carson officials confirmed that some of its service members were present when federal law enforcement officials said they detained more than 100 people who were in the country illegally in a raid at an “underground” Colorado Springs nightclub early Sunday.

The Drug Enforcement Administration estimated there were around 200 people inside the nightclub at the time of the raid; at least half were undocumented immigrants, and more than a dozen were U.S. active-duty service members who were either patrons of the club or working as armed security, said Jonathan Pullen, DEA special agent in charge.

More than a dozen were U.S. active-duty service members who were either patrons of the club or working as armed security, Pullen said.

Pullen said during an interview with NewsNation that 17 military members were inside the club, but did not say the number that were working security or the number who were patrons.

The raid happened at 296 S. Academy Blvd., at the northwest corner of Academy Boulevard and Airport Road.

A screenshot from a video shared by the DEA Rocky Mountain Division shows men and woman being stopped by law enforcement officers as they exit a Colorado Springs nightclub early Sunday. (Rocky Mountain DEA)
A screenshot from a video shared by the DEA Rocky Mountain Division shows men and woman being stopped by law enforcement officers as they exit a Colorado Springs nightclub early Sunday. (Rocky Mountain DEA)

“We acknowledge that there were some Fort Carson service members present at the location during the operation,” stated an email Monday from officials at the Mountain Post, home to more than 23,000 assigned soldiers. “Each person involved in this incident is presumed innocent until proven guilty. We will look at everyone’s situation on a case-by-case basis.”

The DEA said it also seized cocaine and guns during the raid.

“Illegal activities of any kind do not represent our military values,” the Fort Carson email stated. “We will continue to work in coordination with our federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to ensure our community is safe.”

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, in a post Sunday on X, said the club is frequented by members of the Venezuelan prison gang Tren de Aragua and international gang MS-13.

“This morning @DEAHQ apprehended over 100 illegal aliens at an underground night club frequented by Tda and MS-13 terrorists. Cocaine, meth, and pink cocaine was seized. 2 people were also arrested on existing warrants,” Bondi’s post read.

The Rocky Mountain division of the DEA reported the multi-agency enforcement operation on X around 4 a.m.

Video from the raid showed dozens of men and women stream out of the front door of the building after law enforcement officers break a window.

During a news conference, Pullen said Colorado Springs “was waking up to a safer community” Sunday after agents found pink cocaine, evidence of prostitution and drug trafficking, and firearms during the raid.

After raiding an underground nightclub in Colorado Springs early Sunday morning, April 27, 2025, about 114 illegal aliens were arrested. Screenshot taken from DEA video
After raiding an underground nightclub in Colorado Springs early Sunday morning, April 27, 2025, about 114 illegal aliens were arrested. Screenshot taken from DEA video
Early Sunday morning, law enforcement vehicles filled the streets surrounding an underground nightclub that was raided by the DEA. The nightclub is located at the northwest corner of Academy Boulevard and Airport Road. More than 100 people who were reported to be in the country illegally were detained in a raid at a nightclub Sunday, April 27, 2025, according to Drug Enforcement Administration officials. (Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
Early Sunday morning, law enforcement vehicles filled the streets surrounding an underground nightclub that was raided by the DEA. The nightclub is located at the northwest corner of Academy Boulevard and Airport Road. More than 100 people who were reported to be in the country illegally were detained in a raid at a nightclub Sunday, April 27, 2025, according to Drug Enforcement Administration officials. (Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
Law enforcement officers from federal and local agencies get ready to raid an underground nightclub early Sunday morning. Over 100 undocumented immigrants were detained after the drug and prostitution raid. Screenshot take from DEA video
Law enforcement officers from federal and local agencies get ready to raid an underground nightclub early Sunday morning. Over 100 undocumented immigrants were detained after the drug and prostitution raid. Screenshot take from DEA video
Federal law enforcement officials said they detained more than 100 people who were in the country illegally in a raid at an “underground” Colorado Springs nightclub early Sunday morning. (Drug Enforcement Administration photo)
Federal law enforcement officials said they detained more than 100 people who were in the country illegally in a raid at an “underground” Colorado Springs nightclub early Sunday morning. (Drug Enforcement Administration photo)
Early Sunday morning, law enforcement agencies raided a local underground nightclub after months of investigation. The nightclub is located at the northwest corner of Academy Boulevard and Airport Road. (Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
Early Sunday morning, law enforcement agencies raided a local underground nightclub after months of investigation. The nightclub is located at the northwest corner of Academy Boulevard and Airport Road. (Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
Early Sunday morning, law enforcement agencies raided a local underground nightclub after months of investigation. The nightclub is located at the northwest corner of Academy Boulevard and Airport Road. More than 100 people who were reported to be in the country illegally were detained in a raid at a nightclub early Sunday morning, according to Drug Enforcement Administration officials. (Jerilee Bennett,The Gazette)
Early Sunday morning, law enforcement agencies raided a local underground nightclub after months of investigation. The nightclub is located at the northwest corner of Academy Boulevard and Airport Road. More than 100 people who were reported to be in the country illegally were detained in a raid at a nightclub early Sunday morning, according to Drug Enforcement Administration officials. (Jerilee Bennett,The Gazette)
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