Calls for "total reset" of Hove restaurant where four arrested and drugs seized
Police are wanting a review of E39 on Western Road
Police are wanting a "total reset" of a Hove restaurant where four men were arrested and drugs seized.
Cocaine and "criminal property" were found during a raid of E39 on Western Road on the 2nd of June.
Three days later, it's alcohol licence was suspended - but in a review hearing yesterday, licensing officer Mark Thorogood said the police called for a new operator with no links to the current business.
He added: “Calling a review is not a decision taken lightly. Sussex Police feel that his location needs a total reset.
“We don’t have confidence in the DPS and it is not possible to remove the PLH (premises licence holder).
Both, we understand, are linked to the four males arrested in one way or the other.”
Restaurant supervisor: "I hope you give me another chance"
He said that the designated premises supervisor (DPS), Sara Deraj, who should have day-to-day control of alcohol sales, told police officers that she was a stay-at-home mum.
Mrs Deraj made her representations in a private session because criminal charges have been laid against the four men who were arrested – but their case has yet to be heard.
Before the hearing went into closed session, Mrs Deraj, 42 said: “I will do anything – any commitments you would like me to do.
“I would love to continue running the restaurant.
I will be very much involved this time. I’ll make sure nothing will happen again and be very careful with everything.
I hope you give me another chance.”
The panel could remove Mrs Deraj as the DPS, suspend the licence for up to three months or revoke the licence.
Once their decision has been made, the business is expected to be told – on the day of the hearing.
E39, also styled as E Thirty-Nine, is run by Seafront Hospitality Ltd. The business is owned by a Greek chef, Jonida Dera, 40.
She was not among the four people to have been charged with drugs and money laundering offences after a police raid of the premises.
The four were:
Klevis Doda, 31, of Hereford Court, The Drive, Hove, who was charged with being concerned in the supply of cocaine and with having criminal property
Mahamoud Zayad, 33, of no fixed address, who was also charged with being concerned in the supply of cocaine and with having criminal property
Eris Deraj, 41, of no fixed address, who was charged with being concerned in the offer to supply cocaine and with having criminal property
Fitzroy Morris, 61, of High Street, Brighton, charged with being concerned in the supply of cocaine and with having criminal property
The bench at Brighton Magistrates’ Court remanded all four men in custody when they were produced on Wednesday 4 June.
They are due to appear before a judge at Lewes Crown Court on Wednesday (2 July) to answer the charges.