Concerns about drug dealing have been brought to the fore, following an undercover investigation at Aruba Lounge, in Banbury Cross Village, North Riding. Carte Blanche showed a video on 25 January of a man making a credit card payment inside the club, and a bag of methcathinone (Cat) his waiter allegedly gave him.
According to Honeydew Sector 1 Community Policing Forum Chairperson Greg Pearce, residents have reported drug deals occurring in the parking lot at the premises for about a year. However, drug deals being made inside the building is new.
“Police have made a lot of arrests in the parking lot, but people keep coming back,” he said. “But I have never heard that you could buy drugs with a credit card inside.”
Victor Siwela, owner of Xplore Nation and Asikhulume Security, the security companies at Banbury Cross Village, said that 70 per cent of drug dealing in the centre had been eradicated, but the remaining 30 per cent was a challenge.
Ward 101 councillor Ralf Bittkau said that he had known about drug dealing at the club for “ages” and he had brought it up numerous times at Community Policing Forum meetings. He added that although Honeydew Police have made arrests at Aruba Lounge, he questioned its effectiveness. Bittkau said that he has now asked the police to close the lounge.
“We have been on about this for ages,” Bittkau lamented. “Now is the time to act.” Honeydew Police Spokesperson Warrant Officer Karen Jacobs was not immediately available for comment, but questions have been sent to her. Questions were also sent to Aruba Lounge.
Details: Aruba Lounge 072 337 5903, Honeydew Police 011 801 8613; Honeydew Community Policing Forum 011 801 8576; Ward 101 councillor Ralf Bittkau 084 572 4002.
