Drugs raids at three Hoylake bars

Mar 19 2008 by Matt Hurst, Hoylake and West Kirby News

POLICE and drugs agencies raided three Hoylake bars on Friday night, making 19 arrests and confiscating cocaine and cannabis.

At around 9.30pm, 150 police, Ministry of Defence police, Customs and Excise staff, Global Service Logistics and Wirral Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT) entered Jack Rabbit Slims on Station Approach, as well as Bar One and Bar Cuba on Market Street.

All three bars were raided simultaneously with sniffer dogs searching more than 300 customers.

In total, 19 people were arrested including a 21-year-old male from Hoylake for possession of cannabis, a 20-year-old Hoylake man for possession of cocaine and cannabis, an 18-year-old man for possession of cocaine and cannabis, a 26-year-old male from Stockport for possession of cocaine, a 26-year-old male from Meols for possession of cocaine, a 17-year-old female from West Kirby for possession of cocaine and a 23-year-old male from Meols for obstructing a police officer.

Police also seized 18 wraps of what is believed to be cocaine and two premises were reported for a breach of licensing conditions.

All three nightspots were closed for the evening by authorities.

Area commander chief superintendent Jon Ward said: “As part of Merseyside Police’s Total War on Crime we have brought together staff from across the force to target premises that we believe are frequently used by those involved in illegal drugs use.”

But Jack Rabbit Slims boss, Adam Coburn slammed the police action.

He said: “It was massively over the top.

“We’ve worked so hard for nearly three years to maintain a top clientele and we’ve got a good reputation.”

Following the raids, cautions and fines were issued to those arrested, with some released on bail pending further enquiries and one man charged with possession of cocaine.

Wesley Andrew Beer, 20, of Trinity Road will appear before Birkenhead Magistrates on April 2 charged with possession of the drug.