Gay bars raided in drugs bust
Police raided four gay bars in New York last week after suspecting illegal drug use on the premises, according to officials.
The move came after a 9 month undercover investigation of drug dealing in a gay gym and clubs including Splash, and View, in Manhattan.
Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly said: ”There was a large amount of drugs and violations of the law taking place at these locations.”
The New York Police Department reportedly found marijuana, ecstasy, cocaine and heroin during the investigation.
Arrests were made at the clubs, and a restraining order was given at the Steel Gym, a gay fitness centre.
Robert S. Bookman, a lawyer for the New York Nightlife Association, a trade group of bars, told the New York Times the business owners were unfairly blamed for actions of their customers, he said: ”This is not a nightclub issue; this is a societal issue, is it surprising that at places where tens of thousands of young people gather that there are drugs present?”