28 ARRESTED IN RAID AT RAVE CLUB

TAMPA - A monthlong investigation into one of the county's first rave
clubs ends with a raid that nets 28 arrests.

Joe Reska and Jeff Grossman wait for friends on a bench outside Club
Chemistry, where a line of people face the wall with their hands in
the air.

Sheriff's deputies make their way down the row, pulling out cigarettes
and lollipops from pockets and checking IDs.

``I don't think it's fair,'' said Grossman, a 19-year-old from Town 'N
Country. ``It's just not right. Sure, there are drugs here, but that's
everywhere.

``At least they're doing it in one place.''

Reska, 23, was more concerned for himself.

``I wish I hadn't come here,'' he said sullenly as other disgruntled
patrons filed out of the smoke-filled dance hall on Gunn Highway.

In a little more than a month, the after-hours club in Plantation
Plaza has built a reputation for pulsating rave music.

But Club Chemistry also is known for its drugs and underage patrons,
say Hillsborough County sheriff's deputies.

Armed with a search warrant and a month of undercover work, a caravan
of deputies descended on the club Saturday just before dawn.

Screams filled the air as deputies, some with bandannas covering their
faces, marched into the club. Lights went on, drugs hit the floor amid
plastic water bottles and glow sticks. Patrons were told to sit with
their hands on their heads. No one could leave.

Some cried softly. Others looked inconvenienced. Juveniles were
corralled into the center of the dance floor while parents got a
dreaded phone call.

Inside, deputies found heroin, ecstasy, GHB, marijuana, LSD and
Rohypnol, the so-called date rape drug also known as
``roofies.''

``It was like a flea market,'' said sheriff's Maj. Robert
DeLuna.

Of the 28 people arrested, 21 were charged with drug possession or
intent to sell; three were juveniles. The remainder were charged with
altering driver's licenses, obstruction of law or resisting arrest.

Eleven juveniles, including a 15-year-old, were released to their
parents.

``My son is supposed to be sleeping over at a friend's house,'' said
one grumpy dad who would not give his name.

Lt. Greg Brown said, ``We've heard that one a lot.''

The investigation is part of the county's ammunition to keep such
clubs from cropping up after being banned last July in the city of
Tampa.

Club Chemistry is one of two rave clubs that have opened in the county
since an ordinance outlawed them in city limits. The Underground on
Nebraska Avenue is a restaurant and bar that puts a lid on the liquor
after hours and opens as a dance club for patrons 18 and older.

Under the direction of Commissioner Jim Norman, county administrators
are working with the sheriff's office on a similar ordinance to ban
raves from Hillsborough County.

Rave clubs, known for their thumping techno music and late hours -
some are open until 6 a.m. - were banned by the city after the death
of 19-year-old Kelly Hendershot. She died June 16, two days after
falling and hitting her head at StudioRave Club on Franklin Street.
Her friends said she had inhaled nitrous oxide inside the club.

Jeff Roher, who owns Club Chemistry, said he was ``involved'' with
StudioRave, but his latest venture is nothing like the former club.

``It's not about drugs,'' he said Saturday afternoon, still reeling
from the barrage of deputies.

He took over operations from Brandon Spurlin, a 23-year-old
entrepreneur who was arrested Saturday on charges of
obstruction.

Jail records show Spurlin received probation in 1997 on charges of
drug possession and delivery. He told officers he was the former owner
of the club. As of Friday afternoon, county records showed an
occupational license for retail sales at the club's address. The
license was applied for in Spurlin's name.

Roher, 27, said he since has applied for a dance hall license. He does
not have a criminal record - and doesn't want one.

``The underage kids, that's a screw-up on our part,'' he
said.

The drugs, well, that's something you'll find in any club, Roher said,
``So let's just close down all the clubs.''

His security guards pat down customers, but there's only so much they
can do, he said.

A former salesman, Roher likes the idea of a club that allows patrons
18 years and older. But he can't shake his club's image, especially
with the sheriff's office.

``Maybe I can't change this scene,'' said Roher, who was considering
reopening Saturday night. ``But they won't give me a chance.''

Back outside, 19-year-old Cara is finally free to go home. She drove
from New Port Richey just to dance at Club Chemistry.

``My friend told me it was a good club,'' she said. But after two
hours of being detained and searched, she had made up her mind.

``I'm never coming here again.''