Cafe’s License Revoked Amid Drug Discoveries and Disorder Allegations

A central Ipswich café, where a police officer was reportedly placed in a headlock and illegal drugs were found, has been ordered to close. Café Nos Terra, situated on Norwich Road in Ipswich, has had its operating license withdrawn following a request from Suffolk Police for its “immediate suspension.” Ipswich Borough Council’s licensing and regulatory sub-committee determined the establishment’s fate during a recent meeting. Café owner Dirce Maior stated: “I don’t believe it’s fair to penalise me or my business for past incidents I have already taken action to resolve.” The Local Democracy Reporting Service reported that the recommendation to close the café stemmed from numerous serious disorder incidents, which the police described as leaving them “out of options.” Ms. Sharon Betts-Palmer, the police’s licensing officer, presented their case, stating that the force held “very great concerns” regarding the management of the café. Ms. Betts-Palmer reiterated the police’s report, which indicated that the café had evolved into “a serious local issue” since Carla Alexandra Melo de Sousa assumed the roles of premises’ licence holder and supervisor. On October 5, Sergeant Mason Blanchard reported being put in a headlock by an individual while attempting to break up a significant altercation involving approximately 10 people outside the establishment. In his witness statement, he 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 cafes.” The officer stated that he employed “proportionate and the most minimal” force to subdue the man, even as members of the public reportedly attempted to hinder the arrest. Conversely, during the meeting, it was contended that the premises had already been shut for 45 minutes when the fight commenced. Furthermore, certain elements of the officer’s statement, including assertions that he identified himself and was in full police uniform, were disputed by the licence holder’s representatives. A statement submitted by Lara Moreira, daughter of café owner Dirce Maior, read: “At no point did we witness [the man] head-locking the police officer. We observed a man attempting to de-escalate the situation who was approached from behind by an officer who did not announce who he was, upon realising the individual was a police officer, he was quick to apologise.” Ms. Betts-Palmer additionally asserted that the café had gained a reputation for drug dealing, citing two specific drug-related incidents. On October 1, a search warrant was executed at the premises, leading officers to discover a male staff member in possession of a small bag of cannabis and a male customer with multiple bags of cannabis, a wrap of cocaine, and two mobile phones, one identified as a burner phone. The search also uncovered a cannabis grinder and digital scales positioned near the coffee machine, along with two steak knives located in the toilet’s basin cabinet. Furthermore, within the function room, a cubbyhole was found to contain a mattress, sleeping bags, and various documents belonging to different individuals. Nevertheless, it was contended that the café “cannot control what a person has on their being” and that the establishment neither condones “criminal activities” nor is “in any way, shape, or form tied to drugs or any illegal activities.” In an additional statement, Ms. Maior remarked: “I don’t believe it’s fair to penalise me or my business for past incidents that I have already taken action to resolve. This business is my passion, I am so happy I am able to have a space like Nos Terra that every single day is home to people from every background, every age. We are not here to be in a battle with authorities or cause disturbance.” Following a period of adjournment for deliberation, the councillors opted to revoke the establishment’s licence.