The police busted the troubled Besan Cafe early Saturday morning for hosting a large gathering made up of 100 people, according to public safety director Jerry Speziale.

Fadi Abuawad, 37-year-old, of Paterson, who is the owner of Besan Cafe, was issued four summonses for maintaining a nuisance, smoking indoors, loud music, and no entertainment license.

Detectives responded to the business at 210 East Railway on report of a large gathering in violation of Covid-19 regulations at around 12:35 a.m. Police observed 20 people loitering outside the business with six security guards at the front.

Police walked up the stairs into a rear covered enclosure that was added to the building. Police observed 100 people sitting at numerous tables. Some patrons were drinking liquor and smoking hookah. Interior was filled with smoke from the hookahs. In the back of the enclosure a DJ with equipment was playing music that could be heard from the outside of the building.

Police ordered the patrons out of the building. Police seized 16 hookahs that were lit with hot coals and a box containing hookah hose and other hookah paraphernalia.

Abuawad was shut down for similar violations in the past, police said.