Southern Rail have had to repossess premises at Thornton Heath station after the leaseholder was arrested in a suspected drugs smuggling ring. Despite work starting on the building following planning permission in October 2015 the shop, at 38 Brigstock Road, which used to be The Studio cafe, never opened. Joysen Jhurry, who leased the premises and put in the planning application was arrested in a National Crime Agency swoop linked to drug smuggling ring.

Despite work starting on the building following planning permission in October 2015 the shop, at 38 Brigstock Road, which used to be The Studio cafe, never opened. Joysen Jhurry, who leased the premises and put in the planning application was arrested in a National Crime Agency swoop linked to drug smuggling through Heathrow Airport.

Mr Jhurry, 40, from Banstead in Surrey was charged alongside Preetam Mungrah, 42, of Woodville Road, Thornton Heath. Mr Jhurry, a baggage handler, was an active director of three companies one of which is Shani Steel Ltd, also based in Croydon. Mr Mungrah is listed as a co-director. Mr Jhurry and Mr Mungrah will appear before Kingston Crown Court on March 31 when pleas will be entered along with three other defendants on charges of conspiring to import cocaine and cannabis.

A repossession notice has now gone up in the shop window and a spokeperson for Govia Thameslink which runs Southern Rail said, “Our Managing Agents, Amey TPT undertake rigorous vetting, including proof of identity, financial and credit reference checks, of all tenants applying to rent commercial properties from us. This was done with regards the lease for this property. “We are looking to undertake minor renovation works and to re-market the property in due course.”