Features
Authorities Close Sydney Club For 72 Hours
NSW Police and the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing closed the Imperial Hotel in Erskineville, Sydney, for 72 hours June 19 after allegations of bar staff taking ecstasy while serving patrons.
in Sydney, Australia
The shuttering followed a week of surveillance by authorities after police raided the club June 13 and arrested two staffers on drug charges.
The hotel underwent change of management late April when Spice Group International (SGI), set up by club DJ Murat Kilic, moved its Spice Cellar club into the venue from Martin Place in the Sydney central business district.
According to a statement from the OLGR, “The hotel has come under increasing attention by both OLGR and Police due to numerous drug detections, repeated intoxication issues, and ongoing disturbance issues from patrons leaving the venue in the mere two months since the hotel came under new management.” SGI had been served a number of official warnings, according to the statement, which also highlighted the sale and use of drugs by patrons in the club.