Summerville, SC – A large-scale operation involving approximately 200 federal, state, and local agents resulted in a raid at the Alamo nightclub in Summerville, South Carolina. The operation led to the arrest of more than 70 individuals, including a fugitive from Honduras wanted for homicide. Authorities also recovered firearms, drugs, cash, and identified seven potential trafficking victims.
Arrests and Seized Evidence
The operation, conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and local law enforcement, revealed serious criminal activity at the nightclub. Among those arrested, Benjamin Reyna-Flores, the club owner, is linked to the Los Zetas cartel and faces charges for alcohol violations and operating without a permit. Two high-level members of organized crime with ties to the Los Zetas and Tren de Aragua gangs were also arrested during the raid.
Statements from Authorities
Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin commended the efforts of ICE and local law enforcement, stating, “Day in and day out, the brave men and women of ICE are working with local law enforcement to keep American communities safe.” She further emphasized, “Under President Trump and Secretary [Kristi] Noem, fugitives and law-breakers are on notice: Leave now or ICE will find you and deport you.”
Sheriff Carl Ritchie highlighted the law enforcement focus on restoring order to the community, noting that 66 of those arrested were in the United States illegally.
Statewide Support and Ongoing Investigations
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster praised the federal response and called for continued investigations into organized crime affecting both border security and immigration enforcement. “This is what years of open borders got us, but now things have changed,” McMaster said. He pledged that more investigations like this would take place to rid South Carolina of criminal organizations.
Alamo Nightclub as a Crime Hub
The operation revealed that the Alamo nightclub was a known hub for drug trafficking, weapons possession, and human trafficking. Special Agent in Charge Cardell Morant emphasized, “This operation was not just about immigration enforcement, it was about restoring order.”
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have vowed to continue cracking down on illegal activities in the region.
