MORE than 300 police officers raided five Sydney nightclubs overnight, charging 18 people with drug-related offences.
Police targeted the DCMs and NV nightclubs in Oxford Street, Darlinghurst, the Embassy nightclub in Cross Street, Double Bay, and the EP1 and Zen nightclubs in Kings Cross shortly after 1am (AEST) today.
Drug detection dogs conducted passive searches of patrons at each venue, and police said in a statement that large amounts of drugs were retrieved.
Drugs seized included white powder believed to be cocaine, a large number of tablets believed to be ecstasy and quantities of marijuana.
"All five premises will be closed for 72 hours and I will be applying to the licensing court to close four of those premises permanently," City East Region Commander Dick Adams said in a statement.
Owners of those clubs must demonstrate why they should be allowed to remain in business, Commander Adams said.
"If club owners are going to allow their premises to be used to sell drugs, we are going to close those clubs.
"If they open up in other premises we are going to keep closing them.
Commander Adams said the raids would get the attention of drug syndicates.
"The clear message for anyone who wants to come into the city and sell drugs is that the next person you sell drugs to is likely to be an undercover police officer."
Officers from the City East Region, Operational Support Group, Crime Agencies, Endeavour, Macquarie, Greater Hume and North Metropolitan region Street Safe section took part in the raids.
http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,3092209%255E1702,00.html
Police targeted the DCMs and NV nightclubs in Oxford Street, Darlinghurst, the Embassy nightclub in Cross Street, Double Bay, and the EP1 and Zen nightclubs in Kings Cross shortly after 1am (AEST) today.
Drug detection dogs conducted passive searches of patrons at each venue, and police said in a statement that large amounts of drugs were retrieved.
Drugs seized included white powder believed to be cocaine, a large number of tablets believed to be ecstasy and quantities of marijuana.
"All five premises will be closed for 72 hours and I will be applying to the licensing court to close four of those premises permanently," City East Region Commander Dick Adams said in a statement.
Owners of those clubs must demonstrate why they should be allowed to remain in business, Commander Adams said.
"If club owners are going to allow their premises to be used to sell drugs, we are going to close those clubs.
"If they open up in other premises we are going to keep closing them.
Commander Adams said the raids would get the attention of drug syndicates.
"The clear message for anyone who wants to come into the city and sell drugs is that the next person you sell drugs to is likely to be an undercover police officer."
Officers from the City East Region, Operational Support Group, Crime Agencies, Endeavour, Macquarie, Greater Hume and North Metropolitan region Street Safe section took part in the raids.
http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,3092209%255E1702,00.html