Police raid Metropolis in Portland> Officers find `drug buffet’ in early morning club search

PORTLAND — Six people were arrested on drug trafficking charges and four others were issued summonses alleging drug possession after about 75 police officers raided a dance club filled with 1,000 people shortly before dawn Saturday, police said.

“We found what we call a drug buffet,” Portland Police Chief Michael Chitwood said, listing crack cocaine, heroin and LSD among the substances recovered by authorities.

City, state and federal officers executed a search warrant of the Metropolis club around 4 a.m. after undercover agents bought drugs, Chitwood said.

The Forest Avenue club has been the site of three late-night dance parties or raves in the past six weeks, Chitwood said.

“We had been aware there was tremendous drug use,” he said.

Chitwood said one of the people arrested on drug trafficking charges was a juvenile. He said three of those who were issued summonses were members of the club staff.

Chitwood said he would ask Fire Department officials to check the club’s compliance with the safety code.

He also said he would move to have the club’s entertainment license suspended or revoked and recommend that its liquor license not be renewed.

No injuries were reported in the raid as police emptied the premises for their search. Chitwood said a wide array of drugs was found discarded on the floor of the establishment.

Chitwood said the atmosphere in the club turned “pretty tense” when police first entered, and he credited the club staff for acting to defuse any potential for violence as patrons departed.

Chitwood said the variety of license plates on vehicles outside the club suggested that it drew patrons from around New England and the Northeast.