Brooklyn Center police said a year‑long investigation into suspected human trafficking and other criminal activity led to search warrants at four hotels early Wednesday — resulting in 23 arrests and a large multi‑agency response.
“Today is about accountability, but it’s also about helping people who have been victimized once more,” said Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt.
The coordinated operation involved more than 250 personnel from local, county, state and federal agencies. Police executed 31 court‑authorized search warrants at the Travelodge, Super 8, Baymont and Suburban Studios, according to Brooklyn Center Police Chief Garett Flesland.
“I’ve been a cop 26 years. I’ve never been a part of an investigation this complex, this large. I don’t honestly know how far some of these puzzle pieces will go,” he said.
Flesland said the suspected offenses include promotion of prostitution, sex trafficking, drug possession, drug manufacturing and possession of firearms by prohibited persons. He emphasized these are preliminary grounds for arrest and not final charges.
Preliminary evidence recovered includes:
Seven firearmsApproximately 1.5 pounds of drugs$9,000 in cash
“This investigation began approximately one year ago within the Brooklyn Center Police Department, focused on suspected criminal activity associated with the Travelodge and Super 8 hotels,” Flesland said. “It’s incredibly concerning. These two hotels have generated the highest number of calls in the city.”
Flesland shared the following call‑for‑service data between Jan. 1, 2025, and Aug. 27, 2026:
Super 8: approximately 1,300 calls for service
Travelodge: approximately 975 calls for service
Between both properties:
246 arrests15 violent‑crime arrests53 violent‑crime‑related calls (including assaults, robberies, shootings, shots fired, sex crimes and weapons offenses)More than 100 drug overdoses, making up 24% of all reported overdoses in Brooklyn Center during this time.
“Behind those numbers are people who have experienced violence, exploitation, addiction and repeated emergencies,” Flesland said. “Protecting vulnerable people has been central to this effort.”
Officials said no one was hurt in the operation. They did not share how many trafficking victims were identified.
“I want everybody to know across Minnesota that human sex trafficking is not a victimless crime,” said Drew Evans, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension superintendent. “We all need to pay attention each and every day, provide resources, help people escape exploitation and hold traffickers accountable.”
In a statement to 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said: “Our staff assisted with the multi‑agency operation in Brooklyn Center, and we are ready to review incoming cases for potential charging.”
Guests describe being woken up as officers moved in
Hotel guests at the Super 8 and Travelodge said they were sleeping when they heard banging and yelling from police.
“There was a bang on all the doors — that was frightening a little bit,” said a Super 8 guest.
“About 4:30 in the morning, me and my girl heard them beating on the door,” said Jeffrey Cohen.
He said he heard police at another room before they moved to his. Cohen said he has lived at the Travelodge since April.
“I hear a knock on our door. ‘Police!’ I open up the door. [Police say] ‘Let me in.’ I’m naked as hell. They cuff me up. I’m naked, cuffed up. I’m like, d***, bro, what do we do?”
He said he and about 20 men were cuffed and placed on buses. He said women were also detained.
After being handcuffed, Cohen said he was later released.
“I had nothing to do with what was going on,” he said.
People staying at both hotels waited outside for hours to grab their belongings. Several guests said they live at the hotels long‑term.
“If I knew they was doing all this, maybe I would [have] went to another hotel,” Cohen said. “I’m paid up for the week, so now my money gone. I don’t know how to get that back or nothing.”
Officials said support is underway for both trafficking victims and hotel guests who were displaced. Advocates, social workers, and housing partners — including Hennepin County Public Health and Safe Harbor — were on site to help people access shelter, services and temporary lodging.
Police said some guests requested help relocating to other hotels.
Brooklyn Center police said Super 8 and Travelodge guests can retrieve the rest of their belongings Thursday and Friday from noon to 4 p.m.
Officials said the investigation is ongoing.
For Related Stories: Arrest Brooklyn Center Brooklyn Center Police Department Human Trafficking Kamaria Braye