2:43pm Tuesday 3rd April 2007
By Sam Adams
Tony Hurrell, manager of Faces Nightclub, Cranbrook Road, Gants Hill, has released the following statement regarding the police drugs raid on his club on Thursday, March 29.
As a result of the police operation at Faces Nightclub last week we have, in agreement with the Metropolitan Police, consented to an order closing the premises until Friday, 27th April 2007.
The Metropolitan Police's operation at the premises resulted from an undercover investigation ongoing since late January 2007 into the alleged use and supply of illegal drugs on the premises. Two individuals unconnected with the premises were arrested in mid-March as a result of the investigation and we understand they have been charged with a variety of drug offences and are currently awaiting trial.
The three members of the club's operational management arrested during the operation have now all been released without charge pending further enquiries as to whether or not they knowingly allowed the sale of drugs at the premises. There is no allegation that they had any involvement of the sale of drugs themselves. All three deny any knowledge of such sales and are assisting the Metropolitan Police as far as possible with their investigation.
Out of a total of 300 customers in the premises at the time of the operation, four were arrested for the possession of illegal substances which we understand to have been in small amounts for personal use only..
The purpose of the agreed closure of the premises is to allow us the opportunity to carry out an immediate and full review of anti drugs procedures at the premises and to ensure that such measures are put in place so that there is no reoccurrence of the events leading to the Metropolitan Police operation of last Thursday. The premises have always worked closely with the Metropolitan Police in the past and we are fully committed to doing so in the future to prevent our premises being misused in any way by those who either want to use or supply illegal drugs.
An urgent meeting is being sought with the Metropolitan Police to ensure that the necessary safeguards are put in place and that the premises previously good reputation is restored as soon as possible.
We wish to categorically state that we have never encouraged, condoned or knowingly tolerated the presence of illegal drugs at Faces.
We apologise to our loyal and overwhelmingly law-abiding clientele for any inconvenience caused by the closure but are confident that they will understand the need for it.
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