COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – Several Colorado leaders have shared their thoughts on a raid of what the DEA says was an ‘illegal nightclub’ operating in Colorado Springs early Sunday morning.
During that operation, more than 100 people, who officials say are in the country illegally, were detained. Multiple service members who officials said were at the club as both patrons and working as armed security were also detained.
Below are statements from El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal, Drug Enforcement Administration Rocky Mountain Field Division Public Information Officer Steffan Tubbs, Colorado Governor Jared Polis, Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade and 4th Judicial District Attorney Michael J. Allen.
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.
I can say that if you’re watching Colorado Springs tonight, you should feel that much safer. More than 100 illegal aliens who were in this country illegally. Some of them are still being processed as we speak.
DEA is not done. Under the new administration, all federal partners have really been given— I don’t know if you could say a mandate, but a real aggressive approach to enforcing.
At the DEA, enforcement is in our middle name, Drug Enforcement Administration. And we’re going after these people that are peddling methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, 2C into communities like Colorado Springs.
A lot of them had criminal backgrounds, and we’re just happy that it was a safe operation and successful. And again, it’s just beginning.
Colorado is not a sanctuary state, and Governor Polis continues urging Congress to secure the border and do their job and pass comprehensive immigration reform. Governor Polis’ administration has expressed similar concerns about the original legislation but has been working with legislators throughout the process on amendments that would help gain his support. He will review the legislation as it moves through the process.
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.
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.
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.
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