More Than A Dozen Arrests At Miami Strip Club Raid
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – A three month undercover investigation culminated early Friday morning with a multi-agency raid at a Miami strip club which led to more than a dozen arrests.
CBS4 News Investigator Jim DeFede obtained the exclusive video of what happened as police stormed the club.
WATCH Jim DeFede's report, click here.
Miami police and state beverage officers raided the Wonderland Strip Club on Biscayne Boulevard and 78th Street just before 5 a.m.
They came inside the club so quickly the 50 dancers, customers and club employees were caught off guard.
Thirteen people were arrested.
Miami Police Commander Lazaro Ferro pulled the plan together.
"And if anybody gets nasty they get handcuffed," said Ferro. "We are in control of the business, we are in control of the operation, nobody dictates to us what we are going to do."
Dancers from the club, managers and other employees, even the disc jockey were cuffed with zip ties and led into a paddy wagon.
A man hired to work as a security guard who identified himself as "Brian" said he couldn't believe what happened.
"First day and the club closed, cops came and they're finally letting me go," said Brian.
"Did you see anything shady like prostitution going on in there," asked CBS4's Natalia Zea.
"Not at all but like I said, first day."
Officers from the city of Miami as well as the Florida's Department of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco went undercover in the club where they claimed dancers sold them cocaine, marijuana, as well as offering sex in exchange for cash.
"We send our undercover officers in there. They engage in conversation and dialogue with the girls and they would offer money for sexual acts," said Lazaro Ferro of Miami Police. "Both agencies were able to go in there and make purchases."
Police said during the raid they also found small stashes of cocaine around the club.
"Some of you are going to be asked to go with an officer, we're going to allow you to get some clothes," said Ferro.
Club managers were also arrested for serving liquor after the club was supposed to be closed. The owner was cited for fire safety violations.
Friday's raid was part of Operation Safe Club - an initiative to crack down on clubs operating illegally in Miami. It's taken on greater significance since an incident last September at a club called the Spot.
"We had an incident that happened on 7th Avenue where multiple people were shot and we wanted the community to know we've been actively attacking these issues," Ferro said.
The city is now reviewing the violations at the club raided Friday and may suspend or revoke the club's business license.
CLICK HERE To Watch Gary Nelson's Report
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