Cafe Nos Terra’s License Under Review Following Drug Discoveries and Disorder Incidents

A decision regarding the future of a cafe, which has been associated with multiple serious disorder incidents, is scheduled to be made at an upcoming meeting. Cafe Nos Terra, located on Norwich Road in Ipswich, faces potential closure following a recommendation from Suffolk Police for the suspension of its operating licence. This recommendation stems from the detection of illicit substances on the premises and an event where a police officer was restrained in a headlock. The establishment’s future will be deliberated upon and determined by Ipswich Borough Council’s licencing and regulatory sub-committee. Police have characterized the venue, owned by Carla Alexandra Melo de Sousa, as “a serious local issue,” noting its reputation for both the use and supply of drugs. According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the premises came under examination following an assault on a serving police officer on 5 October, an incident that is still under investigation. Sgt Mason Blanchard was put into a headlock by a staff member as he attempted to intervene in a confrontation involving approximately 10 individuals. In his official witness statement, Sgt Blanchard recounted: “As I grabbed hold of one male who had another in a headlock, I felt a forearm across my throat applying pressure and another arm around my waist.“I was dragged from the group with continuing pressure around my upper body and throat, and pushed backwards towards one of the cafés.” The officer stated that he employed “proportionate and the most minimal” force to subdue the individual, even as members of the public sought to impede the arrest. Subsequently, on 10 October, less than a week after the assault, the location was subjected to a search warrant, during which officers discovered a male staff member possessing a small bag of cannabis. Furthermore, another male customer was found to have several bags of cannabis, a wrap of cocaine, and two mobile phones, one of which was identified as a “burner” phone. The search also yielded a cannabis grinder and digital scales positioned next to the coffee machine, along with two steak knives located in the basin cabinet within the toilets. Within the function room, a cubbyhole was discovered, containing a mattress, sleeping bags, and documents belonging to various individuals.