Police take aim at club

42 arrested on drug, alcohol charges in raid at OK Corral

42 arrested on drug, alcohol charges in raid at OK Corral

HANAHAN — Police arrested 42 people Saturday morning at the OK Corral nightclub in "Operation Jose Cuervo," a focus on alcohol compliance that could become ammunition to shut down the business.

The club at 1726 1/2 Remount Road has "become somewhat of a nuisance to the city," Detective Cassie Watson said.

In 2007, officers wrote 32 reports from the club for offenses including assault, disturbing the peace and drugs, Lt. Mike Fowler said. A 23-year-old man was shot to death there in December.

"Our goal is to have the place closed, or if they would, just obey the law," Fowler said.

The operation came two days after Charleston police and federal agents did a sweep at Club Arco Iris in West Ashley based on complaints of possible drugs, prostitution and gang activity, a release stated. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detained 22 people on immigration charges and the bar was closed because of building code violations.

Watson and Fowler said Hanahan's raid focused solely on alcohol compliance, although ICE agents participated. The State Law Enforcement Division, North Charleston Police Department's gang unit and Hanahan code enforcement were also involved.

"Operation Jose Cuervo" was no reflection on the club's Hispanic clientele, Watson said.

"What we did had nothing to do with it being a Hispanic problem," he said.

People were lined up outside and between 100 and 125 patrons were inside when officers arrived at 2:30 a.m. Saturday.

"Everybody in there with a drink in their hand was cited for illegal consumption after hours," Fowler said.

Club owner Marcelino Adame, 54, and manager Benjamin Reyna, 42, were cited for selling alcohol after hours, Watson said. Adame and Reyna couldn't be reached for comment Wednesday.

Officers also recovered 36 grams of narcotics off the floor.

"People just tossed dope like crazy" when officers arrived, Fowler said.

Some of the small plastic bags contained crack cocaine that had been stepped on and the others contained powdered cocaine or marijuana, Fowler and Watson said.

Four of the 42 people detained were arrested on drug charges because they had narcotics on them, Watson said.

Other arrests included a woman charged with disorderly conduct because Fowler said she tried to throw a pot of hot water on Watson.

Reach Nita Birmingham at 745-5858 or nbirmingham@postandcourier.com.

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