(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Over a dozen active-duty service members were found running security at an illegal underground nightclub during a Drug Enforcement Administration’s Rocky Mountain Field Division (DEA RMFD) operation in Colorado Springs.
The DEA bust occurred at around 3:45 a.m. on Sunday, April 27, at an illegal nightclub located off Airport Road and South Academy Boulevard. The nightclub was a hub for drug trafficking, prostitution, and crimes of violence. According to DEARockyMountain X’s post, drugs and weapons were seized.
“Only those here illegally or those with warrants were taken into custody,” DEARockyMountain wrote via X. “Most partygoers were eventually released.”
At the time of the operation, there were 200 people inside the club. According to DEA Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Pullen, many were turned away, however, 114 illegal immigrants were taken into custody by Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“We had active-duty service members that were running security at the club and involved in some of these crimes,” said Pullen.
According to the DEA, the service members were inside the club working as armed security or as patrons. When asked, the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division (Army CID) said they were aware of the situation.
“Army CID is aware of this matter and is currently conducting a joint investigation with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which is the lead agency,” a spokesperson with Army CID said. “As this is an ongoing investigation, we are unable to provide additional information at this time.”
Various gang-affiliated members have also been noticed inside the club, including Tren de Aragua (TdA), MS-13, and Hell’s Angels.
“It’s obviously concerning to have active-duty military involved; we are working with our partners at Army CID on that piece,” Pullen said. “Obviously, where we are in the Springs, there are a lot of military bases here, so it’s not necessarily surprising, but we are going to take that very seriously.”
“They (Army CID) are going to work with us on what the next steps for these service members look like,” Pullen added.
