Colorado leaders react to DEA raid on illegal underground nightclub in Colorado Springs
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - Elected officials and leaders at the city, state, and federal levels are reacting to the multi-agency raid on an illegal underground nightclub in Colorado Springs led by the Rocky Mountain Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade:
“I was briefed ahead of today’s coordinated operation, and I want to thank the DEA’s Rocky Mountain Field Division, the Colorado Springs Police Department, and all of our local, state, and federal partners for their work to enforce the rule of law.
Let me be clear: 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. 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.”
El Paso County Commissioners Holly Williams, Carrie Geitner, Bill Wysong, Corey Applegate and Cami Bremer released a joint statement on the early morning raid:
"The El Paso County Board of County Commissioners commends the actions taken by law enforcement during today’s DEA-led operation in Colorado Springs. The scale and severity of this criminal activity posed a direct threat to the safety and well-being of our community. Today’s operation sends a clear message: illegal activity will not be tolerated in El Paso County.
As part of today’s operation, several illegal aliens connected to criminal activity were detained. We would like to thank the Trump administration for empowering the DEA and ICE to do their jobs after the disastrous Biden border policies — aided by sanctuary state policies — created threats to public safety that continue to endanger our communities.
We are deeply grateful to the DEA’s Rocky Mountain Field Division, the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, and all of our local, state, and federal partners for their coordination, professionalism, and steadfast commitment to safeguarding our community.
Public safety is — and will always remain — our top priority. We remain firmly committed to supporting our law enforcement agencies and advocating for policies that keep El Paso County a safe, secure, and thriving place for all who call it home."
El Paso County Democratic Party:
"The El Paso County Democratic Party is expressly concerned about the public statements released by Mayor Yemi Mobolade and the El Paso County Board of Commissioners regarding the joint ICE raid in our community this weekend. City and county leadership failed their constituents by refusing to call for restraint, compassion, or due process for the very residents they represent. At a time when U.S. residents are being wrongly detained by ICE and subjected to brutal prison conditions in countries like El Salvador, it is especially shocking to see our city and county governments provide cover for rogue police forces by publicly praising them. Instead of standing up for the rights and dignity of the very residents they were elected to serve—including citizens who may have voted for them—they chose silence and complicity. Residents, including U.S. citizens, are at real risk of wrongful detention, deportation, and imprisonment—or worse. Their failure to act demands condemnation.
We stand in solidarity with local and state immigration rights groups who have called attention to these abuses and who continue to fight for human dignity, constitutional rights, and true public safety for all members of our community. The El Paso County Democratic Party is currently engaged in consultations to determine how we can best support ongoing legal efforts to defend due process and protect the rights and safety of all our residents."
Jeff Crank (R), who represents most of the Colorado Springs area in the House of Representatives made several statements on Twitter/X:
"The Administration is sending a clear message - this country will not be a sanctuary for illegal aliens any longer. I applaud the work of federal law enforcement, as well as the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office and the Colorado Springs Police Department."
Colorado Springs Police Chief Adrain Vasquez released a statement detailing his department's involvement in the early morning raid:
"I want to be clear that it is the responsibility of the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) to investigate criminal activity and make arrests when appropriate. 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, and our participation in this operation was solely to address criminal violations affecting the safety of our community."
A spokesperson for Colorado Governor Jared Polis (D) provided the following statement on the DEA operation early Sunday morning:
“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.”
Michael J. Allen, 4th Judicial District Attorney:
“Over the past several years, the Colorado Legislature has forced upon all Coloradans sanctuary
status for illegal immigrants. The laws they have passed allow illegal immigrants the ability to
bypass simple requirements that U.S. citizens cannot,” said Michael J. Allen, 4th Judicial District
Attorney. “Those laws have in many ways blocked the ability of local law enforcement agencies to
work with federal immigration authorities. SB25-276, introduced just last week, is the latest
egregious example of the Colorado Legislature prioritizing illegal immigrants over its own citizens.
“The raid this weekend in Colorado Springs shows how pervasive this issue has become, and the
ways in which sanctuary laws have eroded public safety for Coloradans.
“I thank our federal partners for the important work they are doing to address these serious issues
and call on all Coloradans to reach out to their legislative representative to enact the necessary
changes to keep our communities safe.”
El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal:
"El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal issued the following statement following a series of stories coming from local and national media regarding joint law enforcement activity over the weekend in the Pikes Peak region:
I refuse to sit back and allow people to make law enforcement the villains. These same people want the community to believe those involved in illegal activity are victims.
The operation designed to stop criminal activity early on Sunday morning did not take place in a church, school, grocery store, library, or any other location where law-abiding citizens carry on with their lives. It took place in an establishment created and known for the open use and sale of illicit drugs, gang activity, violence, and the sale of women (human trafficking) for sex.
We must question and ask why people frequent such an establishment. Those present at the illegal nightclub contributed to, participated in, or, at the very least, were aware of the activities within the establishment.
Criminals must not be allowed to hide behind the cloak of their immigration status as a shield from prosecution and accountability.
As Sheriff, I am wholly committed to keeping the citizens and deputies who live and work in my community safe. To do so, we will continue to arrest and charge criminals regardless of their country of origin.
I will not allow media and those who are not public safety experts to continue pushing a false narrative and defame the hard work of my deputies and law enforcement in the Pikes Peak region.
Lastly, I greatly appreciate the support my Office has received from Congressman Jeff Crank, the El Paso County Board of County Commissioners, local elected officials, and members of the community. Together, we will ensure El Paso County is safe for everyone.”
KRDO13 will update this article when we hear back from more elected officials and local and state leaders from the area.
