GIRL IN CRITICAL COLLAPSE HAD TAKEN OVERDOSE

Nothing done despite targeting by drug dealers

The owners of a building where an illegal nightclub operates have claimed Police Scotland gave organisers the go-ahead to open.

Businessman Sirajul Haq said officers had visited the property and were aware it was being used as an unlicensed dance venue.

His daughter claimed police patrols attended the weekly event cal led Checkmate “about 20 times” but failed to detect criminality.

The extraordinary claim was made despite Sunday Mail investigators finding that drug taking and dealing was rife on two separate visits.

The Scottish Government branded the events “shocking” and police failed to clarify whether they had attended the illegal club.

In the early hours of yesterday, a scheduled Checkmate night failed to go ahead, leaving revellers who turned up disappointed.

Our investigation uncovered rampant drug taking and exposed dealers who cashed in on teenagers and student s who attended.

Inquiries revealed that a 25-year- old woman needed hospital treatment af ter suffering a drug overdose in a car park yards f rom Checkmate’s entrance in Tradeston, Glasgow.

The red sandstone building is owned by SAS Fazal and Son Ltd, a fashion wholesaler.

Haq, 75, of the cit y’s Pollokshields, is the firm’s only director according to business register Companies House.

He said: “I wasn’t aware that the building was being used to sell drugs. I’m shocked.

“I knew the building was being used for parties at night but I didn’t know anything illegal was going on. I’m very sorry as I’m against this sort of thing.”

Haq claimed he called police over concerns that illegal cannabis plants may have been grown inside the building.

He said: “We talked with the police about five or six months ago. Officers told me the people using the building were not doing anything wrong.” Haq said his daughter handled the building’s l ea se and wa s responsible for renting out the property. He said Daniel Cameron – one of three men who promote the venue on social media – has been the tenant for two years. Haq’s daughter Bushra Imran, who is also his accountant, said a company was the leaseholder. She refused to reveal the f irm’s name, citing “client confidentiality”. However, she added: “I’ve been in contact with the police and they have been at the building a number of times and say nothing has come up. They were there just recently. “Is this an oversight by the

Officers said people were not doing anything wrong

police? They’ve been there 20 times, so how come this is happening?

“We are against what’s happening there. If the pol ice are saying nothing is happening, what can we do?”

We revealed last week how seven unlicensed venues were operating in Glasgow every weekend.

Investigators visited Checkmate on June 22 and watched as people stood in groups popping pills they had bought from dealers who moved through the venue, which has no licence or safety certificate to operate.

We purchased cocaine and esctasy tablets within minutes of arriving.

Door staff employed to provide security brazenly snorted coke and smoked cannabis while ignoring a young woman who lay apparently unconscious across a torn couch.

Three men have been involved in promoting Checkmate on Facebook.

Cameron, John Markey and Oliver Melling were each described as admin and moderators on the venue’s forum on social media, which advertised line-ups and other events. The page was shut down after our story was published last week.

Donald MacLeod, director of the Glasgow Licensing Forum, said: “It’s very worrying if claims that Police Scotland knew of this venue’s existence and allowed it to operate.

“It flies in the face of the all the work the licensing industry has been doing with police to make sure clubs are safe.

“There’s a number of these sites and it won’t be long before someone dies because they’re outside the laws within which legitimate clubs can only exist.”

Annie Wells, Tory MSP for Glasgow said: “The situation with these illegal raves appears to be escalating and it seems to be a matter of time before someone gets badly hurt or worse.

“This is deeply worrying and Police Scotland must take this threat seriously.

“More must be done to reassure the local community and crack down on criminals preying on young people.”

Police Scotland failed to clarify whether they had attended Checkmate or were aware it was an unlicensed venue.

But Chief Inspector Stevie Hazlett, of Greater Glasgow Division, said: “There’s no need for anyone to risk their health or safety by attending an event where the intentions of the organisers are unknown.

“When we are made aware of an event taking place we will take the appropriate action.

“I’d strongly urge people in Glasgow to avoid attending any event of this nature and if they have information about where they may be taking place, or who is organising them, to contact Police Scotland as a matter of urgency.

“If someone does make the personal decision to attend such an event they should be aware that there will be little or nothing in the way of medical assistance available and fire security will certainly be an issue.

“Police Scotland is working closely with Glasgow City Council, its noise nuisance, trading standards and environmental health departments, and other partners who also have powers to deal with any breaches of legislation.”

A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said: “Enforcement of the licensing legislation is a matter for the police.

“The primary purpose of the licensing system is to ensure public safety.

“Anyone responsible for an activity that would normally require a licence, but who is refusing to subject themselves to the scrutiny of the licensing process is creating a risk to public safety.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “These events are shocking and it’s essential that the organisers are held accountable and bound by the same rules that exist for other events.

“Police Scotland is investigating this matter and will take whatever action is necessary to keep our communities safe and ensure our young people are protected from exploitation.

“Through the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce, we’re working with a wide range of partners to reduce the harm caused by serious organised crime.”