Authorities are investigating potential human trafficking activities after a DART operation at a notorious motel in Northeast San Antonio. During this intervention, multiple individuals may face serious legal action.
Early on Tuesday morning, city agencies targeted the Qubed motel located on Rittiman Road, following numerous complaints about the property’s activities. San Antonio Police Sgt. Washington Moscoso discussed the operation at around 9:30 a.m.
This raid was part of the initiative called the Dangerous Assessment Response Team (DART), which aims to address various issues at troublesome properties, such as criminal offenses, zoning violations, and problems associated with homelessness.
Moscoso highlighted that there have been thousands of emergency calls concerning this motel over the past year, with incidents ranging from assaults to disturbances. Residents appear to be living at the motel for extended periods, far beyond the legal limits.
“The calls we receive vary widely, but they often deal with violent incidents,” noted Moscoso. Some residents have been found to have lived there for months, despite the property not being zoned for such stays.
Officers dressed in protective equipment were observed as they went door to door, using specific tools to force their way inside. They also deployed drones to ensure the safety of their operation before entering each room.
During the course of the raid, officers discovered that many doors were modified to lock from the outside, raising serious concerns about human trafficking activities.
According to Moscoso, detectives from the special victims unit were actively interviewing witnesses and trying to reach any potential victims of trafficking or sexual assault.
While several individuals wanted on felony warrants were found, specific identities and numbers were not disclosed. The investigation is ongoing, and it remains unclear at this stage whether additional charges will be filed as a result of the operation’s findings.
Following the raid, other departments scrutinized whether the motel met safety and health standards, involving various city agencies including Animal Care Services, Development Services, and more.
