Fayetteville businesses raided by police task force
FAYETTEVILLE (WTVD) -- ALE agents and Fayetteville police raided a series of adult nightclubs along Bragg Boulevard Friday evening.
They arrested several employees and business owners on alcohol and drug violations.
It was supposed to be party night at Mickey's Bar and Grill, but instead dozens of law officers crashed the party.
"We have cocaine, marijuana, and an assortment of prescription pills being trafficked inside," said Jason Locklear, with the ALE.
ALE agents arrested 19 employees inside the grill and topless bar on trafficking and other charges. The raid culminates a six-month undercover sting.
"We bought from the manager. We bought from the guards. We bought from the adult entertainers, the dishwashers," said Locklear. "We bought from everybody in this place."
The charges range from drug trafficking and use, to allowing illegal drug sales at an ABC-licensed business.
While a military helicopter circled above for security, ALE officers and Fayetteville police filled up state owned prison vans.
Fayetteville Mayor Nat Robertson was on hand for the raid, and said the city has tried for years to clean up the crime ridden business complex.
"There have been three murders here in the past year," said Robertson. "There is usually always something going on here. It's a hotbed, and this is one of the focuses of the city council in the coming weeks and months -- to start looking at how best we can clean up the area."
This roundup was a clean sweep. Officers also arrested five suspected drug dealers, who they say were providing illegal drugs to workers at several other bars and clubs in the area.
ALE officers warn that they are going after the others businesses as well.
"We know that these supply folks are going to other bars," said Locklear. "We followed them to the bars. We know the bars."
