Emergency License Suspension Issued for Johnny’s Bar & Grill, Puyallup

OLYMPIA, WA 6/19/19 - The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) Tuesday issued an emergency liquor license suspension of 180 days for Johnny’s Bar & Grill in Puyallup. The suspension is effective until December 15, 2019. During that time the WSLCB will seek permanent revocation of the license.

On September 27, members of the joint City of Puyallup Police Department and Federal Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force (TNET) received information from a confidential source indicating that the owner of Johnny’s Bar & Grill, located at 1100 Meridian North, Puyallup, WA 98371 was involved in illicit drug trafficking.

Four undercover controlled buys were completed for the purchase of 44.7 grams of cocaine at the premises from the licensee. 

On April 17, a search warrant was served by City of Puyallup Police Department and TNET of the licensed premises. During the search task force, members discovered various forms of illicit drugs and quantities were seized, to include cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, synthetic cannabinoids and pharmaceutical Oxycodone.

The licensee was arrested for the following charges: RCW 69.50.401, Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver.

Based on the threat to public safety, the WSLCB is imposing an immediate suspension of the licensee’s liquor license to be followed by an administrative proceeding seeking revocation of the liquor license. The WSLCB is authorized by state law to issue an emergency suspension of up to 180 days of a liquor license when it believes the “health, safety or welfare” of the general public is in danger. This is the first emergency suspension issued this year by the WSLCB, there were four overall in 2018.