Military Members Caught in DEA Raid on Illegal Nightclub
In a striking turn of events early Sunday morning, a DEA raid in Colorado Springs exposed an underground nightclub linked to an illegal alien gang, revealing the unwelcome presence of several active-duty military personnel. John Pullen, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Rocky Mountain Field Division, confirmed that multiple service members were not only working as armed security but were also allegedly involved in illicit activities within the club. In total, reports indicate that over a dozen active-duty service members were detained during this operation.
Screen image from video below showing various federal and local law enforcement agencies involved in the raid.
200+ inside an underground nightclub in CO Springs had their illegal party upended this am.#DEA RMFD, @ERODenver, @FBIDenver, @ATF_Denver, @HSIDenver, @CSPDPIO, @EPCSheriff & others seized drugs/guns. 100+ illegals arrested. pic.twitter.com/L5FOOyAlX3
— DEARockyMountain (@DEAROCKYMTNDiv) April 27, 2025
Pullen disclosed that the club was a hotspot for “significant drug trafficking, prostitution,” and “crimes of violence,” with law enforcement seizing both firearms and narcotics during the raid. Of the more than 200 individuals found at the venue, over 100 were illegal immigrants, who are now in the custody of ICE.
The raid was the culmination of a months-long undercover investigation, which reportedly monitored the activities of notorious gangs, including Tren de Aragua, MS-13, and the Hells Angels, within the club. However, Pullen could not confirm whether any gang members were among those detained.
Pullen: “So this is an underground illegal nightclub, okay? And what was happening inside was significant drug trafficking, prostitution, um, crimes of violence, we seized a number of guns in there. We had active uh duty service members who were uh, running security at the club and involved in some of these crimes. Um, and in fact we had uh, over a hundred illegal aliens inside as well and those over a hundred illegal aliens were taken into custody by ICE.”
Reporter: “Active duty service members helping as security here, can you elaborate on that at all?”
Pullen: “So it’s an ongoing investigation but um, we had over a dozen active duty service members in the, in the club tonight either as patrons or working as armed security.”
Reporter: “How many of those were detained and, and what are they facing right now?”
Pullen: “So, Army CID was one of our partners out here and they’re going to work with us on what the next steps for those active duty service members looks like.”
As the investigation unfolds, concerns are mounting regarding the implications of military personnel’s involvement in drug-related criminal activities. Pullen expressed the gravity of the situation, emphasizing the importance of addressing the issue seriously given the presence of numerous military installations in the area.
Reporter: “Real quick, can you confirm if those active duty were related to Fort Carson?”
Pullen: “I cannot.”
Transcribed by TGP.
Video excerpt posted by KMGH-TV:
WATCH: DEA Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Pullen describes the federal operation this morning at an illegal nightclub in Colorado Springs. Some active duty military, as well as gang members and many people in the U.S. illegally, were among those detained. pic.twitter.com/21PrvrBU7m
— Denver7 News (@DenverChannel) April 27, 2025
Video of complete briefing posted by KMGH:
UPDATE: Fox News reported on the status of the service members (excerpt):
About a dozen U.S. active-duty service members were also found at the club, special DEA Rocky Mountain agent Jonathan Pullen told multiple outlets. The service members were inside the club as patrons or working as armed security.
“I think that everybody that goes into a nightclub at 3 o’clock in the morning knows what they’re getting into,” Pullen said to Denver 7. “The active duty servicemembers who were there will be dealt with by Army CID [Criminal Investigation Division]. They were on scene with us, and they are partners in this investigation.”
DEA Rocky Mountain confirmed to Fox News that those active duty service members found at the club have so far been detained and are not under arrest at this time.
