Action taken against Poolcrest after cannabis and cash found after officers storm venue

Brent & Kilburn Times: Police raided Poolcrest for the second time in four months (pic credit: Jan Nevill)Police raided Poolcrest for the second time in four months (pic credit: Jan Nevill) (Image: Copyright: Mr. Jan Nevill)

A notorious snooker club in Kilburn believed to turnover £1million a year from drug deals has been closed down by the police.

Brent & Kilburn Times: Police raided Poolcrest for the second time in four months (pic credit: Jan Nevill)Police raided Poolcrest for the second time in four months (pic credit: Jan Nevill) (Image: Copyright: Mr. Jan Nevill)

Officers from Camden Police have been granted a three-month closure notice against Poolcrest in Kilburn High Road, after they uncovered drugs and cash during a raid on Friday.

Around 50 police officers stormed the venue following reports that it continued to peddle illegal substances despite being raided just four months ago.

They seized more than 140 bags of cannabis and around £3,000 in cash.

The club, which is based on the first floor, was stripped of its licence to sell alcohol in December after police seized more than 100 bags of cannabis and £1,000 in cash during the previous raid.

Officers were forced to use a circular saw to gain entry into the club and according to a police spokesman the club is believed to be at the centre of a drug-dealing cartel thought to make the seven-figure sum annually.

Cllr Thomas Thomas Gardiner, Labour Councillor for the Kilburn ward in Camden, told the Times: “Poolcrest is clearly a problem venue. At the recent licensing review hearings the evidence of crime at the premises was pretty overwhelming.

“Raids and further action by the police and council will be good news for residents and businesses alike. Hopefully this will strike a blow against the misery drug dealing causes in the area and alleviate the damage that legitimate businesses suffer from illicit activity occurring nearby.”

“When the council removed the premises license we were conscious that the venue might try to stay open anyway. I really hope that a solution can be found to permanently stop the site being used for criminal activity.

“We cannot tolerate criminality on Kilburn High Road”

A 21-year-old female, two men age 24 and a third age 21 were arrested at the club on suspicion of conspiracy to supply cannabis and money laundering.

All four have been bailed until May.