Garlands nightclub closed by police after drugs raid
A Liverpool nightclub where Class A drugs were allegedly "dealt openly" has closed after a late night police raid.
Merseyside Police said 140 officers stormed the Garlands club, which had about 200 customers in it at the time.
Two men aged 19 and 20, from West Derby and Birkenhead respectively, were arrested on suspicion of possessing and supplying controlled drugs.
Later on Friday the force is applying to magistrates to permanently close down the Eberle Street venue.
After closing the premises shortly after midnight, police said officers carried out an extensive search of the three-storey premises and found large quantities of what is believed to be controlled drugs.
Garlands has been at the centre of an extensive police operation looking into drug dealing for the past few months.
Ch Supt Jon Ward said police had "no option" but to close the club.
He added: "Over the last few months officers have found that Class A drugs and other substances were being openly dealt within the premises.
"It is clear that this establishment didn't adhere to the same high standards as other licensed premises in the city."