New York Sheriff’s Department Shutdowns Illegal Club, Arrests Party Organizers

The New York City Sheriff’s Department arrested four party organizers early Saturday after breaking up an illegal club with nearly 400 people.

The organizers face multiple charges including operating without a liquor license and holding a mass gathering against city and state orders, NBC New York reports. Officials shut down the event, a little before 3 a.m. in the midtown area of Manhattan.

Large social events have been forbidden in NYC amid the coronavirus pandemic and the rising number of positive COVID-19 cases.

The New York City Sheriff’s Department tweeted out several photos from the bust including dozens of bottles of alcohol and a crowd of people.

“Deputy Sheriffs shut down illegal bottle club @ 202 West 36th St, NY: 393+ people, violation of emergency orders, no liquor license, warehousing liquor, 4 organizers charged with offenses for penal, health, alcohol beverage control laws & arrest warrant,” the tweet read.

This isn’t the first time a large gathering has been busted in New York. Last week, the NYC Sheriff’s Department broke up a party in Queens where at least 76 people were in attendance.

Mayor Bill de Blasio revealed Sunday that officials in the city remain dedicated to stopping the spread.

“We’re going to continue to be guided by facts and data as we fight back against #COVID19 and reopen our city,” he tweeted.

De Blasio also shared an update on the coronavirus cases in the city. He revealed that 130 patients had been admitted to the hospital, 1,636 new cases had been confirmed, and the infection rate 7-day average was 3.9%.