Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 72 illegal aliens at a nightclub run by a suspected member of the Cartel del Noreste/Los Zetas during an operation in the Charleston, South Carolina area over the weekend. Los Zetas, now formally recognized as Cártel del Noreste (CDN), was designated a terrorist organization by the Trump Administration in February 2025.
Two alleged cartel/gang members and one person wanted by Interpol for murder in Honduras were among at least 80 people arrested during a weekend sting operation at an unlicensed nightclub near Charleston, South Carolina.
Federal, state and local law enforcement raided the Alamo nightclub, located in an industrial area outside the town of Summerville, around 3:00 AM Sunday. The club had no license to operate or to sell alcohol.
About 200 people were there at the time of the raid. The investigation, dubbed “Operation Last Stand,” continues, Charleston County Sheriff Carl Ritchie said during a news conference Monday.
He referred to the club scene as a “cartel afterparty.” More than 80% of those arrested are living in the United States illegally, he said.
The owner of the illegal night club, Benjamin Reyna-Flores is suspected of having ties to CDN/Los Zetas.
Those arrested included two people believed to be “high-level cartel members” said U.S. Department of Homeland Security agent Cardell Morant. One connected to Los Zetas/CDN and one from Tren de Aragua.
The law enforcement agencies went in with 116 warrants for 80 people. Five people were arrested for criminal offenses, Morant said.
Prior to the operation, ICE received information from a source that “The Alamo”-–an underground illegal nightclub-–was the location of weapons, narcotics, and human trafficking.
The illegal club was operating inside of what was Kelly’s Barbeque restaurant, seen here in a 2017 Yelp photo.
10 juveniles, some as young as 13 including one reported as missing, as well as potential human trafficking victims were present. They were turned over to social service agencies.
Officers also seized guns, cocaine and cash, Ritchie said, without giving details on the amounts.
One of the most high-profile arrests was of Sergio Joel Galo-Baca, a Honduran illegal alien and foreign fugitive with an active Interpol Red Notice for homicide in Honduras.
“Day in and day out, the brave men and women of ICE are working with local law enforcement to keep American communities safe. The successful operation that took place in the Charleston area resulted in more than 70 arrests of illegal aliens—including an international murder suspect and the dismantling of a nightclub run by a suspected cartel member where drug, weapon, and human trafficking were taking place,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.
“Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, fugitives and law breakers are on notice: Leave now or ICE will find you and deport you.” Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Charlotte led the operation with local law enforcement, which took place on June 1.
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