By Andy Young
Candy’s Apartment in the Sydney suburb of Potts Point has been shut down for 72 hours, as part of what police are calling “an ongoing operation”.
The Kings Cross Local Area Command established Strike Force Roby in September, which they said was to target drug supply in the King Cross area.
In a statement about the operation, and closing down Candy’s on Saturday night, NSW Police said: “As a result of that operation, police will allege they identified a number of drug supply and licensing breaches at a licensed premises on Bayswater Road, Potts Point.
“Police attended the location and closed the premises safely last night (Saturday 17 December 2016), removing all patrons without incident.
“Outside the premises officers arrested a 21-year-old man who was allegedly found in possession of 60 MDMA capsules.
“Following inquiries, and the execution of a search warrant at a house in Oakhurst, the man was charged with 22 drug offences including possess prohibited drug, supply prohibited drug and supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis.”
However the police operation has been criticised by some, including Elliott Harper, a resident DJ at the club, who said on Facebook: “This was a targetted attack on one of the last thriving venues in the city. You could walk into any venue in the country and say the same thing as what police were alleging was occurring inside the venue.
“If they truly were trying to reduce harm to patrons they would target individuals they believed to be the cause of the issue.
“Attacking a venue that has tried to work with police and law makers to reduce harm and create a safe party environment is bringing nothing but harm to the already flattened night time economy of this city.
“No arrests were made and nothing was discovered. I also witnessed police harrass a photographer and attempt to confiscate my phone and arrest me for filming the scene as it unfolded. Clearly they didn't want any evidence showing what a poor job they were doing. Disgraceful.”
The club’s owner, Charlie Mancuso was also critical of the police operation, saying: “It was just horrendous, it looked like a war zone. The New South Wales police have got to smarten up and get a reality check. This is very embarrassing for Sydney.”
The police added that inquiries are ongoing as the operation continues.