South Carolina Nightclub Raid nets Migrants, Drugs, and guns

Seventy migrants were arrested during a weekend raid at a South‍ Carolina nightclub allegedly operated by a suspected member of a Mexican ‍cartel, federal agents saeid.

Dubbed “Operation Last Stand,” the 3 a.m. Sunday operation targeted the Alamo, an underground, illegal nightclub in Summerville, about 25 miles ‍from charleston. Around 200 ⁢federal, state, and local agents⁤ participated.

Authorities recovered drugs, guns, and cash​ at the Alamo. Initially, six juveniles were detained, but that number was later amended to 10 at a Monday news conference.‍ Some are believed to ‍be victims‌ of human trafficking;⁣ the⁤ youngest is 13,and one had been reported‍ missing. State social services are providing care.

The investigation into​ the Alamo began in November after noise complaints, according to officials. ⁤The‍ raid was prompted by a tip that the nightclub was being used for ​trafficking and to stash weapons and drugs.

Charleston County‍ authorities have permanently closed the club, allegedly run by Benjamin Reyna-Flores, 59, who faces ‍alcohol-related charges and is being held on an ICE hold. The Los Zetas cartel, now⁣ known as Cártel⁢ del Noreste, was designated a terrorist organization by the Trump ​administration in February.

cardell Morant, a special agent with ⁣Homeland Security investigations, said the raid occurred during a “cartel afterparty” with​ over 200 people‌ present. Agents served 116 previously filed‍ arrest warrants on ⁢the 80 individuals arrested. Five had‌ criminal warrants, including Sergio Joel Galo-Baca, a Honduran fugitive ‍wanted by Interpol​ for homicide.

“This operation was not just about ‌immigration enforcement,it ‌was about restoring order,”⁣ Morant said.

Sheriff Carl Ritchie said two of those arrested were “high-level cartel members”⁢ linked to Los Zetas and the ​Venezuelan‍ Tren de Aragua⁢ cartel.

Former Sheriff Kristin Graziano said ⁢the ⁢investigation predated Ritchie’s tenure, with noise complaints dating back to at least 2022. The Alamo’s previous location in Hanahan was⁢ shut down in 2016 after numerous reports of public urination, drugs, DUI arrests, ⁢and assaults.

What’s next

Authorities plan to continue investigating the extent of the​ cartel’s ‍involvement in the nightclub and⁣ any​ related ⁣criminal activities in the area.