Police officers from the tactical enforcement unit executed a warrant at E Thirty Nine, a Mediterranean restaurant on Western Road, Hove, at 9.45am on Monday, June 2.
A quantity of suspected class A drugs and cash were seized, the police force said, and officers remained at the restaurant until past 7pm.
Officers made four arrests in connection with the investigation.
Sussex Police have now asked Brighton and Hove City Council to review the restaurant’s licence, saying that “in the opinion of a senior police officer the premises are associated with serious crime”.
Police were at the restaurant from 9.45am until after 7pm (Image: The Argus) A notice was posted in the window of E Thirty Nine explaining that the police have asked the council to review the licence.
The notice reads: “Brighton and Hove City Council do hereby give notice that it is our intention to review the premises known as E Thirty Nine Restaurant, for the following reasons: We have received an application for a Summary Review from Sussex Police.
“The grounds for the review are that in the opinion of a Senior Police Officer the premises are associated with serious crime.”
The notice in the restaurant’s window (Image: The Argus) Sussex Police confirmed on June 5 that four men have been charged and appeared before Brighton Magistrates’ Court.
Klevis Doda, 31, of The Drive, Hove, was charged with being concerned in the supply of cocaine, and with acquiring, using, or possessing criminal property.
Mahamoud Zayad, 33, of no fixed address, was also charged with being concerned in the supply of cocaine, and with acquiring, using, or possessing criminal property.
Eris Deraj, 41, of no fixed address, was charged with being concerned in the offer to supply cocaine, and with acquiring, using, or possessing criminal property.
Fitzroy Morris, 61, of High Street, Brighton, was charged with being concerned in the supply of cocaine, and with acquiring, using, or possessing criminal property.
Drugs and cash were seized from the premises (Image: Eddie Mitchell) READ NEXT: Plans approved to build 375 new homes on undeveloped greenfield land
Detective Sergeant Mark Pinder said: “We continue to work hard to target criminal groups and to disrupt the supply of class A drugs which cause so much harm in our communities.
“We also continue to encourage the public to report information to us.”
All four men were remanded in custody, and will next appear before Lewes Crown Court on July 2 to answer the charges.
Any person who desires to make a representation regarding the licence review should send a brief written statement to the Regulatory Services Manager at Brighton and Hove City Council, or via email to ehl.licensing@brighton-hove.gov.uk between June 4 and June 17, 2025.
Dining and Cooking