Police find GUN and suspected drugs at glitzy celeb launch night of Habbibi restaurant in Manchester

A gun and suspected drugs were found at a restaurant during its glitzy launch night in Manchester city centre, the Manchester Evening News can reveal.

Police attended the launch party for Habbibi, a new £3m restaurant and bar in Spinningfields, which was attended by a host of celebs, shortly before 9pm on Saturday (June 8).

It is understood the firearm was found in the toilets of the fancy venue on Hardman Boulevard. Police were then called out at 8.45pm and located the gun, before a quantity of suspected drugs were also seized and were sent for testing.

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Habbibi's owners took over the former Refinery bar site in the XYZ building. Guests at the launch party on Saturday night included a host of famous faces from TV.

Love Island stars were in attendance as well as a host of Corrie stars. The Manchester Evening News understands the firearm was uncovered in a toilet cubicle. The alarm was raised and police were called out to the restaurant. No arrests have been made but investigations are ongoing.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: "At around 8.45pm on Saturday 8 June 2024, we were called to reports of a firearm being located at a business property on Hardman Boulevard in the city centre.

"Our officers attended and recovered the firearm in question. A quantity of suspected drugs were also seized and sent for testing. The firearm was made safe at the scene and no arrests have been made. Investigations are ongoing."

The owner of Habbibi, Zack Issak, said in a statement issued to the MEN: “We are saddened and shocked to confirm that on the evening of Saturday 8th June, during our Manchester launch event, a member of the Habbibi