Around a hundred riot police smashed into Pacha London last Friday night in a co-ordinated drugs raid that discovered just a small quantity of illegal substances amongst the 200 revellers present, leading to ten arrests. Superintendent Simon Ovens described the raid as �a highly successful operation which has taken a number of drug dealers off the streets of Westminster’ in an interview with Reuters, and also suggested it �sends a robust message to those that operate licensed premises.’
Pacha London chief William Reilly disagreed, however, issuing his own press release several hours later, pointing out that cops actually �commended the management at Pacha’ after the Victoria venue was �found to be clean’. “Pacha would like to apologise to anybody that attended the venue last night and was subjected to what must have been a frightening experience that was taken out by the Metropolitan police,” Mr Reilly added.
“It is a shame that the police did not inform Pacha of their intentions, bearing in mind we have never had a problem in seven years of operation in Westminster. For over 15 years the Pacha group have worked closely with the police and councils to deter drug use in the venues,” he continued. “This lack of trust and heavily handed approach has done nothing to stop drug dealing in clubs but drives a wedge between the police, public and management.”
The experienced club executive stressed that Pacha will be open this weekend (Friday September 26), and thanked Ministry Of Sound for rallying round last weekend by offering free admission to ticket holders for Saturday’s event which was cancelled following the raid.
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