More than a dozen people were arrested by police after a raid at a Miami gentleman's club early Friday following a month-long undercover investigation into prostitution and drug dealing at the business, police said.
Officers were seen placing women and men into handcuffs and hand restraints outside Wonderland strip club at 7778 Biscayne Boulevard shortly after 5 a.m. Footage showed the women being placed into the back of a police van. A total of 13 people were arrested at the club, police said.
“We started getting tips that illegal activity is taking place to include prostitution and narcotics,” said Commander Lazaro Ferro.
The club was hit with a plethora of charges and violations during the raid that featured: a task force of police, code enforcement, fire inspectors, the zoning department, and others.
“We went in and sure thing, there were numerous violations of selling alcohol beyond 5 a.m. There were violations where the employees were selling narcotics and other ones engaged in prostitution,” Ferro said.
Citations were also issued for improper license and tax receipts for the ATM machines, violation of propane gas tank usage, expired fire extinguishers, and faulty emergency exit light equipment, police said. No arrests were made for prostitution.
Two of the club's managers were among those arrested. The city's zoning and finance departments are reviewing the violations for a possible suspension or revocation of the business license, police said.
Neighbors said they weren’t surprised at what cops found during Friday’s raid.
“This strip club has had name changes a lot of times. It’s just, I’ve never heard anything good about it. Everything I’ve heard is all just negative,” said resident Crystal Bravo.
NBC 6 went to the home of one of the managers Friday night for a comment, but no one was home. Wonderland owners haven't said when the establishment may open again.
