COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KOAA) — KOAA News5 crews were on the scene of federal operations at two supermarkets in Colorado Springs on Wednesday.
We went looking after viewers reached out with their concerns about officers being located at the El Ranchito Meat Market at the intersection of Airport Road and Ruskin Drive. We soon learned that officers were also conducting operations at El Ranchito #2 along Maizeland Road across from Palmer Park.
DEA agents are at El Ranchito #2 near Academy Boulevard and Maizeland Road. @DEAROCKYMTNDiv says the operation is part of an ongoing investigation in coordination with Homeland Security Investigations. The agency clarified that ICE is not involved.@KOAA pic.twitter.com/oi91GvTJEC
— Peter W. Choi 최원종 (@peterwjchoi) August 13, 2025
News5 reached out to the Department of Homeland Security, ICE, and the Drug Enforcement Administration for comment. "It is an ongoing investigation with HSI. ICE not involved," according to the DEA's Rocky Mountain Field Division spokesperson.
David Olesky, the Special Agent in Charge with the DEA's Rocky Mountain Field Division, said the following: “The DEA Rocky Mountain Field Division, along with our partners from Homeland Security Investigations, FBI, IRS, and our state and local partners, conducted law enforcement operations in the Denver and Colorado Springs areas today. Due to the ongoing investigations, we cannot comment on specifics. DEA has prioritized targeting those who have profited from the trafficking of illegal drugs and those who have enabled the laundering of illicit proceeds.”
We are still waiting for a comment from the Department of Homeland Security.
A ICE spokesperson provided us with the following statement: "Homeland Security Investigations, alongside our law enforcement partners at the DEA, FBI, ERO, and IRS Criminal Investigation as well as local law enforcement partners, are conducting an authorized law enforcement activity at this location. Any further questions will need to be directed to the U.S. Attorney’s office".
HSI, DEA, and ERO officers are on scene at the location along Airport Road; a news five crew captured officers walking out of the store with employees in handcuffs; however, no information has been released about who was detained.
Hear from Community Member Florencia Infante, who was at the scene of the operations, listen to what she had to say in the video player below.
At the El Ranchito Meat Market along Airport Road, DEA Officers could be seen carrying evidence boxes out of the building, but it is unclear what was in them.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information is released.
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