Two cafes that were among several businesses and homes stormed by police in co-ordinated drug raids will have to wait even longer to hear their fate.
Closure order hearings for Sefar Café and El Tacos, both located in Park Parade in Harlesden, were scheduled at Willesden Magistrates’ Court yesterday (September 18) following the raids.
However the Metropolitan Police has said that the cases have been adjourned until October, with closures still in place.
The two venues were first given a notice on July, with court hearings for a closure order originally adjourned from August until September 4. The hearing was then meant to take place on Monday (September 18) before it was adjourned again.
#HarlesdenTCT attended court to obtain #ClosureOrders on 2 remaining properties in Park Parade, due to the persistent ASB & drug offences which have taken place there. The court have adjourned the hearing on Sefar Cafe & El Tacos until October, closures still in place #Harlesden pic.twitter.com/cValWrI7ze
— Harlesden Police (@MPSHarlesden) September 19, 2023
The Metropolitan Police applied for eight closure orders after police swooped on the businesses and homes near Park Parade in Harlesden on August 23.
Officers arrested 12 people on suspicion of offences including stolen goods and possession with intent to supply Class A, B and C drugs – and the Met says “quantities of drugs and stolen property” were recovered.
Which other properties were raided?
The Brent & Kilburn Times previously reported that the force applied for temporary closure orders to four commercial and four residential premises.
The court later approved a full three-month closure order for Fortune Launderette & Dry Cleaning, in Park Parade, on September 4.
Baraca Hands hair salon, in High Street, Harlesden, has also been given a three-month closure order after that was approved on September 7.
Four flats in Harlesden – two in Springwell Avenue and two in Harlesden Gardens – were given a three-month closure order approved by Willesden Magistrates’ Court on August 24.
Access is prohibited to all people except for those involved in management, maintenance or emergency services.
Arrests and charges
Police say 11 males and 1 female were arrested following the raids.
One person was charged with robbery and possession of crack cocaine and another person was charged with possession of Class B drugs and recalled to prison. He has been released under investigation in respect of alleged handling stolen goods.
Nine of those arrested have been bailed until dates in late October pending further enquiries and one has been released without further action.
Police previously said the raids are "far from the end of the operation".
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