Nearly 50 migrants arrested in immigration crackdown in Colorado
- A multi-agency raid took place on January 26, 2025, targeting a makeshift nightclub in the Denver area.
- Approximately 50 migrants, many linked to the Tren de Aragua gang, were arrested as part of the operation.
- The operation highlights an ongoing crackdown on illegal immigration and gang activity amid heightened law enforcement efforts.
In a coordinated effort involving multiple federal agencies, an immigration raid took place early on January 26, 2025, at a makeshift nightclub in the Denver Metro area, Colorado. The operation resulted in the arrest of approximately 50 undocumented migrants, many of whom had alleged ties to the Venezuelan gang known as Tren de Aragua. The Drug Enforcement Administration, along with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agencies, collaborated with local authorities to address suspected criminal activities at the venue. Reports indicated that the raid followed months of investigation, highlighting security concerns regarding gang-related activities and immigration violations. During the early morning raid, agents seized a cache of weapons, drugs, and cash. They discovered a type of narcotic referred to as pink cocaine, or tusi, which combines various substances, including cocaine, ketamine, and methamphetamines. The operation was part of a broader crackdown on illegal immigration and criminal activities, which has gained momentum under the current administration's policies. The Denver DEA office expressed that around 41 out of the 49 individuals detained were confirmed to be undocumented migrants. This operation is part of a wider strategy aimed at combating the influx of violent criminals and members of organized gangs into American communities. Statements from the Department of Homeland Security underscored the urgency of taking action against individuals illegally entering the country, particularly those associated with violent gangs like Tren de Aragua. The raids have drawn attention from various news outlets, partly due to the gang's notoriety after previous incidents in Aurora, Colorado, where armed groups reportedly linked to Tren de Aragua were filmed last summer. The Trump administration has placed a strong emphasis on addressing immigration and criminal gang activity, pledging to enhance law enforcement's capabilities in battling these issues, signaling a significant shift in immigration policy and practices since the new administration began its tenure.