Latest news with #JonathanC.Pullen
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Yahoo
More than 100 migrants were detained during a raid on a Colorado nightclub. Here's what we know
US federal agents early Sunday raided what authorities described as an underground nightclub in Colorado Springs and took into custody more than 100 migrants accused of being in the country illegally, the US Drug Enforcement Administration said. 'What was happening inside was significant drug trafficking, prostitution, crimes of violence,' Jonathan C. Pullen, special agent in charge at the DEA's Rocky Mountain division, said at a news conference Sunday morning. 'We seized a number of guns in there.' Also, some active-duty military members were at the club – some of whom were working there – and were turned over to the Army, Pullen said. 'We had active-duty service members who were running security at the club and involved in some of these crimes,' Pullen said. Here's what we know about the raid: The DEA and other agencies had been monitoring the nightclub for 'a number of months,' according to Pullen. During the surveillance, investigators documented drug trafficking, prostitution, and the presence of people suspected to be members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, the international gang MS-13, and the Hells Angels, Pullen said. It wasn't immediately clear whether members of those groups were at the club during Sunday's raid, Pullen said. Agents from the FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the Department of Homeland Security and local law enforcement participated in Sunday's raid, the DEA said on X. Hundreds of agents across more than 10 federal agencies participated in the raid, Pullen said. DEA special agents announced their presence prior to entering the nightclub, and occupants were given multiple warnings to come out, according to the DEA's Rocky Mountain field division. The DEA on Sunday posted video to social media showing agents outside a building in what appears to be a strip mall, calling to the people inside: 'This is the police with a search warrant demanding entry. Exit the front door one at a time with nothing in your hands, held high above your head.' Instructions in Spanish followed. Another DEA video showed federal officers breaking a large front window of the building. People fled through a door, but were stopped by additional armed agents, the video shows. Authorities found drugs at the club, including cocaine and pink cocaine, also known as 'tusi,' Pullen said. Those believed to be in the US illegally were taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Pullen said. '200 people were inside – at least 114 in the US illegally,' the DEA's Rocky Mountain field division said. Also, more than a dozen active-duty members of the US military were at the club during the raid – some who were patrons, and some who were working security at the club, Pullen said. The active-duty service members were handed over to the US Army Criminal Investigation Division, Pullen said. A spokesperson for the Army Criminal Investigations Division told CNN that it was conducting a joint investigation with the DEA, which was the lead agency. 'As this is an ongoing investigation, we are unable to provide additional information at this time,' the spokesperson said. The DEA has not said what, if any, charges were filed against anyone in the club, or released the names of those detained. CNN has reached out to ICE for more details. US Attorney General Pamela Bondi posted on X that two people had been arrested on outstanding warrants during the raid, but she did not elaborate. President Donald Trump praised the raid on TruthSocial. Alongside a video of agents entering the building, Trump wrote: 'A big Raid last night on some of the worst people illegally in our Country — Drug Dealers, Murderers, and other Violent Criminals, of all shapes and sizes, and Judges don't want to send them back to where they came from. If we don't win this battle at the Supreme Court, our Country, as we know it, is FINISHED! It will be a Crime ridden MESS. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!' The raid comes amid a large push by the Trump administration to deport people accused of being in the country illegally – an effort that has faced legal challenges. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court paused the deportation of immigrants potentially subject to the Alien Enemies Act. The Justice Department has repeatedly asserted it will investigate any local officials who do not assist federal authorities with immigration matters. Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade, who was elected as an independent, thanked law enforcement officials involved in Sunday's raid, saying: 'Criminal activity of any kind, from anyone, will not be tolerated in Colorado Springs. This investigation and the execution of these warrants are the result of clear evidence of serious criminal conduct.' The office of Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat, issued a statement to CNN affiliate KRDO: 'Governor Polis is focused on making Colorado safer for everyone, and that includes cracking down on illegal drugs and firearms. We await the details from the DEA and federal government on this action.' Last week, the DOJ charged a Milwaukee County circuit judge on suspicion of helping an undocumented immigrant avoid arrest, in what her peer described as 'a message to chill the judiciary.' CNN's Susannah Cullinane and Hanna Park contributed to this report.
CNN
28-04-2025
- CNN
More than 100 migrants were detained during a raid on a Colorado nightclub. Here's what we know
US federal agents early Sunday raided what authorities described as an underground nightclub in Colorado Springs and took into custody more than 100 migrants accused of being in the country illegally, the US Drug Enforcement Administration said. 'What was happening inside was significant drug trafficking, prostitution, crimes of violence,' Jonathan C. Pullen, special agent in charge at the DEA's Rocky Mountain division, said at a news conference Sunday morning. 'We seized a number of guns in there.' Also, some active-duty military members were at the club – some of whom were working there – and were turned over to the Army, Pullen said. 'We had active-duty service members who were running security at the club and involved in some of these crimes,' Pullen said. Here's what we know about the raid: The DEA and other agencies had been monitoring the nightclub for 'a number of months,' according to Pullen. During the surveillance, investigators documented drug trafficking, prostitution, and the presence of people suspected to be members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, the international gang MS-13, and the Hells Angels, Pullen said. It wasn't immediately clear whether members of those groups were at the club during Sunday's raid, Pullen said. Agents from the FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the Department of Homeland Security and local law enforcement participated in Sunday's raid, the DEA said on X. Hundreds of agents across more than 10 federal agencies participated in the raid, Pullen said. DEA special agents announced their presence prior to entering the nightclub, and occupants were given multiple warnings to come out, according to the DEA's Rocky Mountain field division. The DEA on Sunday posted video to social media showing agents outside a building in what appears to be a strip mall, calling to the people inside: 'This is the police with a search warrant demanding entry. Exit the front door one at a time with nothing in your hands, held high above your head.' Instructions in Spanish followed. Another DEA video showed federal officers breaking a large front window of the building. People fled through a door, but were stopped by additional armed agents, the video shows. Authorities found drugs at the club, including cocaine and pink cocaine, also known as 'tusi,' Pullen said. Those believed to be in the US illegally were taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Pullen said. '200 people were inside – at least 114 in the US illegally,' the DEA's Rocky Mountain field division said. Also, more than a dozen active-duty members of the US military were at the club during the raid – some who were patrons, and some who were working security at the club, Pullen said. The active-duty service members were handed over to the US Army Criminal Investigation Division, Pullen said. A spokesperson for the Army Criminal Investigations Division told CNN that it was conducting a joint investigation with the DEA, which was the lead agency. 'As this is an ongoing investigation, we are unable to provide additional information at this time,' the spokesperson said. The DEA has not said what, if any, charges were filed against anyone in the club, or released the names of those detained. CNN has reached out to ICE for more details. US Attorney General Pamela Bondi posted on X that two people had been arrested on outstanding warrants during the raid, but she did not elaborate. President Donald Trump praised the raid on TruthSocial. Alongside a video of agents entering the building, Trump wrote: 'A big Raid last night on some of the worst people illegally in our Country — Drug Dealers, Murderers, and other Violent Criminals, of all shapes and sizes, and Judges don't want to send them back to where they came from. If we don't win this battle at the Supreme Court, our Country, as we know it, is FINISHED! It will be a Crime ridden MESS. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!' The raid comes amid a large push by the Trump administration to deport people accused of being in the country illegally – an effort that has faced legal challenges. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court paused the deportation of immigrants potentially subject to the Alien Enemies Act. The Justice Department has repeatedly asserted it will investigate any local officials who do not assist federal authorities with immigration matters. Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade, who was elected as an independent, thanked law enforcement officials involved in Sunday's raid, saying: 'Criminal activity of any kind, from anyone, will not be tolerated in Colorado Springs. This investigation and the execution of these warrants are the result of clear evidence of serious criminal conduct.' The office of Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat, issued a statement to CNN affiliate KRDO: 'Governor Polis is focused on making Colorado safer for everyone, and that includes cracking down on illegal drugs and firearms. We await the details from the DEA and federal government on this action.' Last week, the DOJ charged a Milwaukee County circuit judge on suspicion of helping an undocumented immigrant avoid arrest, in what her peer described as 'a message to chill the judiciary.'
CNN
28-04-2025
- CNN
More than 100 migrants were detained during a raid on a Colorado nightclub. Here's what we know
US federal agents early Sunday raided what authorities described as an underground nightclub in Colorado Springs and took into custody more than 100 migrants accused of being in the country illegally, the US Drug Enforcement Administration said. 'What was happening inside was significant drug trafficking, prostitution, crimes of violence,' Jonathan C. Pullen, special agent in charge at the DEA's Rocky Mountain division, said at a news conference Sunday morning. 'We seized a number of guns in there.' Also, some active-duty military members were at the club – some of whom were working there – and were turned over to the Army, Pullen said. 'We had active-duty service members who were running security at the club and involved in some of these crimes,' Pullen said. Here's what we know about the raid: The DEA and other agencies had been monitoring the nightclub for 'a number of months,' according to Pullen. During the surveillance, investigators documented drug trafficking, prostitution, and the presence of people suspected to be members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, the international gang MS-13, and the Hells Angels, Pullen said. It wasn't immediately clear whether members of those groups were at the club during Sunday's raid, Pullen said. Agents from the FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the Department of Homeland Security and local law enforcement participated in Sunday's raid, the DEA said on X. Hundreds of agents across more than 10 federal agencies participated in the raid, Pullen said. DEA special agents announced their presence prior to entering the nightclub, and occupants were given multiple warnings to come out, according to the DEA's Rocky Mountain field division. The DEA on Sunday posted video to social media showing agents outside a building in what appears to be a strip mall, calling to the people inside: 'This is the police with a search warrant demanding entry. Exit the front door one at a time with nothing in your hands, held high above your head.' Instructions in Spanish followed. Another DEA video showed federal officers breaking a large front window of the building. People fled through a door, but were stopped by additional armed agents, the video shows. Authorities found drugs at the club, including cocaine and pink cocaine, also known as 'tusi,' Pullen said. Those believed to be in the US illegally were taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Pullen said. '200 people were inside – at least 114 in the US illegally,' the DEA's Rocky Mountain field division said. Also, more than a dozen active-duty members of the US military were at the club during the raid – some who were patrons, and some who were working security at the club, Pullen said. The active-duty service members were handed over to the US Army Criminal Investigation Division, Pullen said. A spokesperson for the Army Criminal Investigations Division told CNN that it was conducting a joint investigation with the DEA, which was the lead agency. 'As this is an ongoing investigation, we are unable to provide additional information at this time,' the spokesperson said. The DEA has not said what, if any, charges were filed against anyone in the club, or released the names of those detained. CNN has reached out to ICE for more details. US Attorney General Pamela Bondi posted on X that two people had been arrested on outstanding warrants during the raid, but she did not elaborate. President Donald Trump praised the raid on TruthSocial. Alongside a video of agents entering the building, Trump wrote: 'A big Raid last night on some of the worst people illegally in our Country — Drug Dealers, Murderers, and other Violent Criminals, of all shapes and sizes, and Judges don't want to send them back to where they came from. If we don't win this battle at the Supreme Court, our Country, as we know it, is FINISHED! It will be a Crime ridden MESS. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!' The raid comes amid a large push by the Trump administration to deport people accused of being in the country illegally – an effort that has faced legal challenges. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court paused the deportation of immigrants potentially subject to the Alien Enemies Act. The Justice Department has repeatedly asserted it will investigate any local officials who do not assist federal authorities with immigration matters. Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade, who was elected as an independent, thanked law enforcement officials involved in Sunday's raid, saying: 'Criminal activity of any kind, from anyone, will not be tolerated in Colorado Springs. This investigation and the execution of these warrants are the result of clear evidence of serious criminal conduct.' The office of Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat, issued a statement to CNN affiliate KRDO: 'Governor Polis is focused on making Colorado safer for everyone, and that includes cracking down on illegal drugs and firearms. We await the details from the DEA and federal government on this action.' Last week, the DOJ charged a Milwaukee County circuit judge on suspicion of helping an undocumented immigrant avoid arrest, in what her peer described as 'a message to chill the judiciary.'
New York Post
28-04-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Dramatic moment DEA raids underground nightclub frequented by MS-13 in Colorado, arresting more than 100
Dramatic footage captured the moment hundreds of DEA agents descended on a Colorado nightclub over the weekend, detaining more than 100 illegal immigrants in an early morning raid. More than 300 law enforcement officers from both federal and local agencies were involved in the operation, seizing drugs and weapons from the underground nightclub on Sunday morning in Colorado Springs. A total of 114 illegal migrants were detained in the raid on the underground club allegedly frequented by members of the MS-13 criminal organization, according to authorities. Advertisement Federal officers can be seen breaking a large front window of an unbranded building as people flee into the night — many wearing outfits suitable for a nightclub, according to video posted online by the DEA on Sunday morning. 4 DEA agents raided an underground nightclub in Colorado Springs on Sunday. X / @DEAROCKYMTNDiv Additional armed federal agents can be seen stopping people trying to escape. 'This is the police with a search warrant demanding entry. Exit the front door one at a time with nothing in your hands, held high above your head,' agents can be heard telling patrons outside the building, followed by instructions in Spanish. Advertisement 4 Agents found cash, passports and drugs inside the club. X / @DEAROCKYMTNDiv Over a dozen active duty service members went undercover as security guards or nightclub patrons during the raid, a DEA spokesman said on Monday. 4 Revelers wearing outfits to go to a nightclub were detained. X / @DEAROCKYMTNDiv 'What was happening inside was significant drug trafficking, prostitution, crimes of violence. We seized a number of guns in there. We had active-duty service members who were running security at the club and involved in some of these crimes,' DEA Rocky Mountain Division Special Agent in Charge Jonathan C. Pullen said during a news conference on Sunday morning. Advertisement 4 A total of 114 illegal immigrants were detained. X / @DEAROCKYMTNDiv DEA agents also found cocaine and pink cocaine — also known as 'tusi' — Pullen went on. Two people were arrested on outstanding warrants during the raids, according to Attorney General Pamela Bondi. Advertisement 'Trump's directive to make America safe again is achieving results!' she wrote on X. '200 people were inside – at least 114 in the U.S. illegally,' the DEA Rocky Mountain Field Division said on X.
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Yahoo
Over 100 immigrants arrested in raid on underground Colorado nightclub where active-duty military members worked, feds say
More than 100 immigrants, allegedly in the country illegally, were detained in Colorado Springs after an overnight raid at what authorities described as an underground nightclub in a strip mall. Over a dozen active-duty military members were also at the club during the raid, and federal officials said some were working at the illicit operation. 'What was happening inside was significant drug trafficking, prostitution, crimes of violence,' DEA Rocky Mountain Division Special Agent in Charge Jonathan C. Pullen said at a news conference Sunday morning. 'We seized a number of guns in there. We had active-duty service members who were running security at the club and involved in some of these crimes. And in fact, we had over 100 illegal aliens inside as well.' Drugs found at the underground club included cocaine and so-called pink cocaine, also known as 'tusi,' Pullen said. Those believed to be in the US illegally were taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Pullen said, while the active-duty service members were handed over to the US Army Criminal Investigation Division. CNN has reached out to ICE and the US Army for more details. Video posted online by the DEA Sunday morning showed federal officers breaking a large front window of a nondescript building as people fled through the door into the night, only to be stopped by additional armed federal agents. Some of those stopped were wearing dresses and outfits suitable for a nightclub. Hundreds of agents across over 10 federal agencies participated in the raid, and more than 200 people were inside the club when authorities arrived, Pullen said. The nightclub had been under surveillance by the DEA and partner agencies for 'a number of months,' and authorities documented drug trafficking, prostitution, and the presence of members from the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, MS-13, and the Hells Angels, according to Pullen. 'I don't have the information about whether those members were there tonight, but we're still working through a lot of that, because we have so many people in custody,' Pullen said. 'Colorado Springs is waking up to a safer city this Sunday morning,' he said. Stephen Miller, President Donald Trump's White House deputy chief of staff, commented on the raid Sunday morning on X, saying it was an operation between DHS and the Department of Justice, adding more information was to come.
