Orlando police charge dozens for drug sales, permit violations in ‘Operation Night Cap’

Orlando police say an undercover drug activity operation has resulted in dozens of charges spanning several downtown businesses.

Orlando police have been working on “Operation Night Cap” since summer to address drug sales in bars and clubs in the area. The operation has resulted in 85 charges against 32 individuals. Altogether, OPD found that ordinances were violated at 33 establishments.

“Operation Night Cap” ran from July to November and was spurred by complaints about illegal activity downtown — not only drug sales, but also alcohol sales after permitted hours, improper or absent ID scans, and improper or absent weapons searches.

Twenty-three bars and clubs were found to be violating the terms of the After Midnight Sales Permit passed in March 2023. Undercover officers purchased drugs directly from dealers inside 17 clubs. Five of the dealers were employees of the businesses.

“We were buying meth, cocaine, ketamine, ecstasy,” Orlando police Chief Eric Smith told WESH-2. Arrest reports show that 11 people have been arrested so far. Those 11 individuals have “a combined criminal history of 87 felony convictions and 51 misdemeanor offenses,” according to an OPD release.

Here’s the list of downtown establishments affected by Operation Night Cap:

Establishments Where Drugs Were Sold:

Aero Rooftop Bar & Lounge 

Bullit Bar — employee sold drugs to an undercover officer

Casey’s on Central 

Dank Smoke Shop — employee sold drugs to an undercover officer

Eden the Lounge  

Fixtion Restaurant & Bar 

Planet Pizza 

Pretty Please 

Room 22 — employee sold drugs to an undercover officer

The Monkey Bar 

SHOTS Orlando 

Parlay Orlando 

Sly Fox Pub 

Swiggs — two employees sold drugs to undercover officers

Taco Kat  

Underground Public House 

Wall Street 

Establishments in Violation of the After Midnight Sales Permit:

64 North

Aero Rooftop Bar & Lounge

The Attic/Treehouse

The Basement 

Bullitt Bar 

The Beacham

EVE Orlando 

Elixir 

Fixtion Restaurant & Bar 

Hen House 

Hooch 

The Monkey Bar 

The Other Bar 

Parlay Orlando 

Proper 

Room 22

Shakai Sushi Lounge 

Shine 

SHOTS Orlando

Sidebar Orlando 

Tier 22 

Waitkiki 

Wall Street Cantina

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This article appears in Dec 4-10, 2024.