A Victoria strip club has been shuttered temporarily after police say a staff member sold cocaine to undercover officers and dancers touched customers "inappropriately."
Monty's Exotic Showroom Pub in the Victoria Plaza Hotel has been banned from operation for 22 days and fined $4,000 after a lengthy sting operation dubbed "Fowl Play."
Undercover officers from Victoria and the Lower Mainland -- as well as members of the Military Police -- have been staking out Monty's since last June, according to a post on the Victoria Police Department's blog.
An employee who had already been cited in 2004 for selling drugs to undercover officers was allegedly caught doing the same thing during the investigation. Police say they also watched as strippers danced outside of the stage area, undressed customers and simulated violent acts.
Staff members allegedly drank booze with the undercover cops while they were working, and let officers take liquor out of the bar to drink on the street.
The Liquor Control and Licensing Branch ruled that Monty's should be suspended from operation for 15 days for allowing drugs to be sold inside, seven days for permitting prohibited acts by dancers and fined $4,000 for liquor violations. Investigators are also recommending drug-trafficking charges against one employee.
Police say club has a "lengthy history" of liquor law violations that date back more than a decade.
Monty's shut its doors on Friday, but its website says it will reopen on March 31.
