Police raid Radnor restaurant, bartender charged with selling cocaine

RADNOR, PA (WTXF) - Authorities in Delaware County took part in a raid at a popular Radnor restaurant Wednesday afternoon ending with the arrest of a 31-year-old employee., FOX 29 has learned.

The raid took place around 12:30 p.m. today at the Estia Restaurant at 222 N Radnor Chester Road.

Police arrested bartender Edson Arechaga, of Bridgeport, after he allegedly sold cocaine to undercover Radnor officers Wednesday in the parking lot of the restaurant. Sources say police made four undercover drug buys from the bartender.

Superintendent William Colarulo said police and health department officials closed it down temporarily after a K-9 found traces of drugs on two refrigerator handles behind the bar.

"Cocaine in an establishment as well-respected as Estia, through the back door and that is unacceptable and it puts the public at risk and coworkers at risk," Superintendent Colarulo said.

Sources say the investigation started during a recent car stop in Radnor. Drugs and other evidence lead police to the bartender. Police say an undercover officer then made controlled purchases from the bartender during his work shift at the establishment.

Arechaga was ordered held on $30,000 bail. A woman who answered the phone at Estia said the manager and the owner were not available for a comment. No charges have been filed against the second employee at this hour. The investigation is ongoing.