More than 400 local police, Feds raid Tukwila motels

TUKWILA, Wash. -- Hundreds of police and federal agents raided three motels in a prostitution and drug sting Tuesday morning near Highway 99.

Officials said police raided the Great Bear Motor Inn, the Boulevard Motel and the Travelers Choice Motel around 6 a.m. near Highway 99 and South 144th Street in an effort to uncover illegal activity. Three people were detained following the initial raids, and officials said many more are likely to be arrested.

Police said the owners of the motels were targeted by law enforcement. The Seattle Police Department Vice Unit, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Tukwila police were involved in the raid.

The raids were part of a year-long operation, officers said. Officials cleared out the motels and planned to board them up under a federal seizure warrant.

Other locations south of Seattle were also investigated, but officials would not give an explanation as to where those locations were. The investigation will continue into the afternoon.

Many people live in the motels and would need to move while police investigate, officials said.