Chesterfield takeaway’s licence revoked after ‘significant quantity’ of suspected cocaine found during police raid

Chesterfield Borough Council’s licensing committee this week revoked the premises licence of New Eastern.

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Three men from Chesterfield were arrested on suspicion of drugs offences following a police raid at the Chatsworth Road takeaway on September 28.

A council spokesperson said: “New Eastern is a takeaway premises and is licensed for late-night refreshment, permitting the sale of hot food and drinks after 11pm.

“On September 28, a search warrant was executed at the premises by Derbyshire Constabulary and, as a result, Derbyshire Constabulary believed that controlled drug-related activity had taken place within.

“Derbyshire Constabulary submitted a review application to Chesterfield Borough Council for New Eastern’s premises licence, which was heard before Chesterfield Borough Council’s licensing committee on Wednesday.

“The committee heard submissions from Derbyshire Constabulary and from the premises licence holder.

“After a period of deliberation, the licensing committee decided to revoke the premises licence.”

A Derbyshire Constabulary spokesperson said three men were arrested after a ‘significant quantity of what it believed to be cocaine’ was found during the raid at New Eastern on September 28.

A 27-year-old man, of Chesterfield, was arrested on suspicion of two counts of possession with intent to supply class A drugs; a 43-year-old man, of Chesterfield, was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs and being concerned in the production of a class A drug; and a 51-year-old man, of Chesterfield, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of cocaine and possession with intent to supply a controlled class A drug

The men were subsequently released on police bail.

The force spokesperson told the Derbyshire Times on Thursday that the men remain released on police bail.

They were among eight people to be arrested following raids in the Chesterfield and Birmingham areas targeting an alleged drugs gang.

Detective Sergeant Simon Cartwright, of the North Organised Crime Unit, said: “We are all too aware of the misery that drug dealing has on our communities and I would urge anyone who suspects that drug dealers are operating in their area to come forward.”

New Eastern have been asked for a comment but we had not received a response at the time of publication.

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