Brent bar stripped of license after drugs raid loses court appeal

A north London Brazilian bar that lost its license after pills believed to be Class A drugs were found behind the bar during a drugs raid has lost its court appeal. The judge described the business as “a hotspot for criminal activity” and upheld the council’s original decision.

In January, Brent Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee made the decision to withdraw the license of Santafe Hall on Harlesden’s High Street following a raid by police officers in November 2023. The trading company, Potubras Ltd, later challenged the decision at the High Court Magistrates of Willesden, but was unsuccessful.

The judge found revocation of the license was appropriate, telling the appellant it was “entirely reasonable” that the council had “lost confidence in your ability to run the premises” in accordance with its stated licensing objectives. The judge added: “I dismiss the appeal on the basis that I am not convinced that the commission’s decision is wrong.”

Following last year’s raid, a member of staff was arrested on suspicion of possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply. The bar has been stripped of its alcohol license and will not be able to sell alcohol to the public.

Cabinet member for environment and enforcement, Cllr Krupa Sheth, said: “I am delighted that the judge has found that the Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee made the right decision. This premises proved to be a hotspot for illegal activity and now the premises will no longer be able to serve alcohol.

She added: “I would like to thank the police for dealing so well with them and bringing about the initial review. I would also like to thank all of our amazing licensing officers who supported the appeal.”

Santafé Hall was temporarily closed after drugs were found on the premises. A temporary closure notice was then issued on December 28 at Willesden Magistrates’ Court, banning entry until March 27 this year.

The Metropolitan Police then applied to Brent Council for a review of the license by the alcohol and entertainment licensing sub-committee. It ruled the bar’s license should be withdrawn – which meant it could not operate even when the police closure order was lifted in March.

Apart from the alleged drug dealing linked to the venue, there have been repeated complaints over the years of “nightclub level” loud music, as well as incidents and anti-social behaviour. Local residents also claimed that music and a performer continued to play at the bar after the scheduled closing time of 11pm.

At the time, Sergeant Cesar Sanguineti of the Harlesden Town Center Squad, said: “I honestly believed that allowing the Santafé lounge to operate in the Harlesden area, despite all the reasonable concerns raised above, would not only negate all efforts by the police to makes Harlesden a safer area but would have a serious impact on the wellbeing of the local community.

“One more murder in the local area attributed to the activities of Santafe Hall is one too many.”