At least 114 people allegedly in the U.S. unlawfully were arrested early Sunday at a party in Colorado Springs, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The DEA said the operation involved over 300 officers and agents from the FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the IRS, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division, U.S. Postal Police, and local law enforcement. Authorities seized firearms and drugs near Academy Boulevard and Airport Road around 3:45 a.m.
“Part of busting up the underground nightclub in Colorado Springs included the arrest of 114 illegal aliens,” the DEA posted on social media. “Drugs and weapons have also been seized at this underground nightclub in Colorado Springs.”
<img src=”gpjuufhwmaauhf7.jpg” alt=”DEA agents at Colorado Springs underground nightclub” /> *Drug Enforcement Administration agents and about 300 other officers broke up a party and arrested over 100 people early Sunday, April 27, 2025.*
Law enforcement said over 200 people attended the party. Those identified by the DEA as unlawfully present were turned over to ICE for processing and likely deportation.
Video shared by the DEA shows agents in tactical gear smashing a building’s window as dozens of people exit through the front door. Some try to flee, but agents with guns drawn order the crowd to the ground. Many comply with hands raised.
DEA officials confirmed that active-duty U.S. military personnel were at the party, some working private security and others attending as patrons.
“It’s obviously concerning to have active duty military involved. We’re working with our partners at Army CID on that case,” said DEA 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.”
A Fort Carson official said active-duty soldiers can have outside employment if approved by their unit commander, but it was unclear whether the servicemembers involved had that approval.
In a tweet, U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated the club is frequented by gang members, that cocaine and methamphetamines were seized, and that two people were arrested on outstanding warrants.
Authorities have not publicly identified those detained or arrested.
Colorado state law restricts local law enforcement’s cooperation with federal immigration authorities unless federal agents have a judge-signed warrant.
Colorado Springs Police Chief Adrian Vasquez emphasized that his department’s role focused on criminal violations, not immigration enforcement.
“I want to be clear that it is the responsibility of the Colorado Springs Police Department to investigate criminal activity and make arrests when appropriate,” Vasquez said in a statement Sunday. “This operation was the result of a months-long investigation into serious criminal activity in our community.”
“While the investigation is ongoing, arrests for these criminal violations are expected. CSPD is aware that our federal partners also detained multiple people for suspected immigration violations during the operation. CSPD is not authorized to conduct immigration enforcement under Colorado law.”
Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade, the city’s first immigrant mayor, praised law enforcement’s efforts while denouncing criminal behavior.
“Let me be clear: criminal activity of any kind, from anyone, will not be tolerated in Colorado Springs,” Mobolade said. “This investigation and the execution of these warrants are the result of clear evidence of serious criminal conduct. Our residents deserve to live in a city where the rule of law is upheld and where illegal behavior is met with firm and decisive action. We will continue working together to ensure the safety and well-being of our entire community.”
