On Saturday, Jul 21, at around 11pm the authorities descended on Side Street bar and demanded the approximately 40 patrons give urine samples for drug tests.



Among the customers at the Jiaodaokou bar was Mohammed Magdi, a Shanghai-based standup comic who was in town for a performance at nearby Salud. He and a handful of Beijing-based comedians stopped by Side Street to wind down after their show before being subjected to the raid. Magdi tells the Beijinger that he and the other customers had to wait for about an hour before the ordeal was over. While neither he or any of his friends tested positive or were arrested, he says, "It was kind of scary. And there was a random dude I assume they detained."





It was kind of scary. And there was a random dude I assume they detained.



Other witnesses, who asked to remain anonymous, also say one customer was temporarily detained because of a false positive test result. However, they added that he was believed to have tested negative later and was released. Sources say no one else was detained or arrested, though they say the scene was very intense, with several plainclothes police officers on site along with a translator who yelled instructions at the clientele. Unlike previous raids, none of the patrons were asked to provide ID and those who appeared to be Chinese were told to line up for the tests first. Many of the patrons were also alarmed to see that the entire incident was being filmed by the officers as they conducted the tests.



A Side Street staff member, who asked to remain anonymous and who was out of town when the incident occurred, says he is unsure why their bar was targeted for the raid, though he was quick to point out the bar was back up and running as normal the next day. He empathizes with patrons who are subjected to such intense testing, saying: "It's also bad for people like us running businesses. People will be scared to go out and also businesses will be under scrutiny."





It's also bad for people like us running businesses. People will be scared to go out and also businesses will be under scrutiny.



The raid comes after a relatively quiet 2018 so far, compared the raids at Great Leap Brewing, Café de la Poste, Queenies, and Heaven Supermarket last May as well as Fangjia Hutong's Hot Cat Club in September. While such raids often occur during politically sensitive periods, like the One Belt One Road conference, this latest incident is proof that the authorities can crack down anytime, and that Beijingers should abide by the law in relation to steering clear of drugs. The Side Street representative says: "This is China and people need to be careful and follow the local rules. It's not worth doing that stuff. I am not trying to be judgmental or anything, but that's the harsh reality."



Similar opinions were voiced last year, after two Beijing based foreigners were deported for drug use. At the time, a Shanghai-based lawyer named Bruce Fan told the Beijinger, "the general rule is 'zero tolerance'" when it comes to drug crime on the mainland. Fan, who has many foreign clients, added that the local authorities can be extremely strict, explaining: "Violating laws or regulations by expats may face deportation and even worse, prison time."





Violating laws or regulations by expats may face deportation and even worse, prison time.



He also said: "The deportation decision is an administrative decision subject to no judicial review. Once it's made, you are gone."



Photo: the Beijinger







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