Licence review
being concerned in the offer to supply Class A drugs.
An application to review YOLO’s licence by Newcastle city centre Chief Inspector Dave Pickett said: “Evidence gathered under Operation Doncaster indicates that the premises are well known within the drug supply scene, where people know they can be supplied controlled drugs.”
The application claims there was “apparent drug dealing on the licensed premises by door staff, management and drug use by staff”.
On Saturday, November 18 undercover officers approached door staff at Yolo in an attempt to buy drugs but one doorman “accused the undercover officers of being cops and joked that they should put their handcuffs on him”. The application then goes on to claim that the doorman gave the officers directions to the bar Empress “saying they could get what they wanted from door staff”. Chief Insp Pickett says he has requested a licence review due to “serious criminal activity taking place on the premises”. Science Bar on Neville Street, was also visited as part of the investigation in November 2017. A police report handed to Newcastle City Council claims officers witnessed “serious criminal activity” taking place at the venue.
And it says they were able to buy cocaine from an illegal doorman “who arranged for the drugs to be brought to the bar and placed into the officer’s handbag”.
It was also alleged the deal took place in front of one of the bar managers.
Two members of Science Bar staff, a manager and doorman, were arrested in December on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.
The licensing reviews will allow councillors to modify the times when the bars can serve alcohol or remove a designated supervisor from the licence, if they deem it necessary.
More drastic measures, including suspending or completely revoking the licence, will also be open to them.
It is also possible that the council will take no action against the businesses, or offer an informal warning.