GARDAI WAGE DRUG WAR ON NIGHT SPOTS

A MAJOR drugs crackdown has been launched against Dublin nightclubs.
Several have been warned they could lose their licences if they don't clean
up their act and kick out the pushers.

Letters from gardai were posted to seven city-centre clubs and discos after
undercover cops were offered drugs. Hardened detectives were shocked by the
amounts of illegal drugs available.

"The place is awash with the stuff," one senior officer said last night.

"It seems that anything you want you can get in Dublin's night spots.

"Our men have had heroin, Ecstasy, hash and cocaine offered to them."

Operation Nightfog was launched to target a number of clubs after a series
of complaints.

Then several other clubs came under Garda suspicion. Detectives believe
that in some clubs, staff are taking back-handers from drug-pushers to turn
a blind eye to their activities.

Now clubs under suspicion have been told that they will be shut down under
special anti-drugs measures if pushers are still found to be using their
premises in 28 days.