23 arrested in Brooklyn Center hotel raids tied to human trafficking, drugs, firearms investigation
Brooklyn Center hotel raids: Guns and drugs recovered, multiple arrests made
Law enforcement officers from multiple agencies recovered several guns and a large amount of drugs after executing 31 search warrants at four Brooklyn Center hotels. FOX 9's Karen Scullin has the latest details.
BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn. (FOX 9) - At least 23 people were arrested Wednesday morning during a large-scale law enforcement operation targeting four Brooklyn Center hotels as part of an ongoing investigation into suspected human trafficking, narcotics distribution, firearms offenses and other criminal activity.
Brooklyn Center hotel raids: 23 arrested
Brooklyn Center hotel operation leads to 23 arrests
Brooklyn Center police said approximately 23 people were arrested during a massive law enforcement operation at four hotels, where authorities executed 31 search warrants. Police say the investigation involves suspected sex trafficking, drugs and firearms, with at least seven guns and approximately 1.5 pounds of drugs recovered.
What we know:
Brooklyn Center Police Chief Garett Flesland said various law enforcement agencies executed 31 search warrants at four Brooklyn Center hotels on Wednesday, resulting in the arrest of approximately 23 individuals. Preliminary totals show officers recovered at least seven firearms, approximately 1.5 pounds of drugs and $9,000 in cash, according to Flesland.
Police said the suspected offenses for the arrests include promotion of prostitution, sex trafficking, drug possession, drug manufacturing and possession of firearms by prohibited persons, among other offenses.
The operation was the result of an investigation that began approximately one year ago with suspected criminal activity associated with the Travelodge and Super 8 hotels in Brooklyn Center. During the investigation, police said they identified connections with other ongoing criminal investigations, bringing together local, state and federal agencies.
In addition to the Travelodge and Super 8, police executed search warrants at the Baymont and Suburban Studios hotels.
The operation involved 250 personnel and numerous local, state and federal agencies, including the BCA, Minnesota State Patrol, FBI, U.S. Secret Service and DEA. Several Twin Cities police departments and the Hennepin, Ramsey and Anoka County sheriff's offices were also involved.
What we don't know:
Law enforcement did not say how many victims may have been involved.
2,200+ calls to hotels
By the numbers:
Officials said there had been more than 2,200 calls for service to the Super 8 and Travelodge hotels between January 2025 and August 2026.
During that period, police said there were about 1,300 calls for service to the Super 8 and about 975 to the Travelodge. Police say these were the two highest individual locations for calls for service.
The hotels also accounted for 246 arrests and were the top locations for disturbances and "quality-of-life" calls and trespassing arrests. The Super 8 was the top spot for violent crime arrests as well during the analyzed period.
The hotels also accounted for 104 reported overdoses, which police say represented 24% of all overdoses in the city.
The backstory:
The Travelodge was shutdown by the health department in February due to poor conditions that included blood and vomit on the walls, trash inside the building, heaters not working, and frozen pipes.
City council documents that documented the issues also noted that county workers were concerned with the hotel's "lack of a guest registry" and gaps with "employee trafficking training."
The police chief said the council did make some changes to ordinances to increase regulations at hotels.
The Source: This story uses information from the Brooklyn Center Police Department and FOX 9 crews at the scene.