Bartender at Estia Taverna arrested in cocaine bust
RADNOR >> Radnor police arrested a bartender Wednesday afternoon at an upscale Greek restaurant after he allegedly sold cocaine to undercover officers several times over the last few weeks.
The bartender, Edson Arechaga, 31, and another Estia Taverna employee who is a “person of interest,” were questioned at the police station Wednesday afternoon, according to Superintendent William Colarulo.
A drug-sniffing dog from Haverford Township police was brought into the restaurant and alerted on the handles of a refrigerator behind the bar and also on two locked employee lockers, Colarulo said. The dog could be heard barking inside the restaurant, which was also temporarily closed by the Radnor Health Department.
Health Officer Larry Taltoun said that he wanted to be sure that the public is safe and to ensure that cocaine was not secreted in flour or sugar in the kitchen where “you can’t tell one product from another” before permitting Estia Taverna, which is on Radnor-Chester Road, to open again.
Two women were about to have lunch, when their waitress told them that the restaurant was closing for an emergency and they had to leave.
“I’m floored,” said Rachel Stern, 21, of Radnor, a student at Dickinson College, when informed of the drug bust. “It was so unexpected.”
“I am surprised,” said Wendy Ross, of Wynnewood, her aunt, who had planned on a “nice lunch” with her niece. They went next door to a pizza parlor instead.
Gina Geyner, the general manager at Estia, was also surprised to see police come to her dining establishment and take employees away.
“We are all completely shocked,” Geyner said.
The restaurant management has been cooperating, said Colarulo.
“It’s unfortunate when you try to vet an employee and he takes advantage and sells cocaine,” said Colarulo. While the restaurant is across the street from Radnor High School, no students were observed buying drugs, he said.
Meanwhile, Colarulo said the investigation is ongoing.
Arechaga, who was taken possession when Colarulo said.
Arechaga, of Bridgeport, was held on 10 percent of $30,000 bail Wednesday arrested, and remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Facility. He is charged with three drug-related offenses, police said.