East El Paso County strip club shut down after raid turns up unlicensed bar and illegal drugs; employee arrested

EL PASO, Texas -- A strip club in east El Paso County has been shut down following a raid by state troopers and other law enforcement agencies that found a variety of illegal drugs, as well as an unlicensed bar operating inside, authorities said Saturday.

One employee was arrested during Friday night's raid at the Darlington Hideaway strip club, but officials hinted more arrests were possible as their investigation continued.

That raid around 10 p.m. turned up quantities of cocaine, meth and marijuana, El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal said, plus the discovery of ongoing liquor sales without a license.

Bernal said Saturday that she would be seeking a court order to permanently close the troubled strip club, citing years of lawlessness there.

She cited 15 violations in recent times for drug delivery, possession and use at the club, noting that 13 of those cases directly involved the owners and operators - Juana Olivia Hidrogo, Christian Ulises Hidrogo, and Alma Lidia Montoya - or their employees.

Police have also dealt with cases of lewd conduct and prostitution, aggravated assaults, disorderly conduct and criminal mischief at the strip club, the county attorney said.

"The sexually oriented business has (also) been operating illegally as a bar since 2007, serving beer and liquor without a license, and allowing the public sale and/or consumption of alcohol" until 5 a.m., which is long past bar closing time, Bernal said.

A judge has scheduled a March 12 hearing on the county's request to permanently close the strip club business.

The Darlington Hideaway is the second business raided and temporarily shut down by the county attorney over the past week.

Bernal is also seeking a separate court order to permanently close Montana Massage at 1605 Montana Avenue, after officers said they uncovered significant evidence of prostitution and possible human trafficking at the massage parlor.