Band booker got bad vibe from Jovita's

AUSTIN (KXAN) - City, state and federal officers say Jovita's has been serving up more than margaritas and Mexican food.

The owner, Amado Pardo, 64, was arrested and accused in federal charges Thursday of selling large amounts of heroin out of the long-time South Austin restaurant.

Seventeen others, including Pardo's wife and brother, also face state and federal charges in the drug distribution case deemed "Operation Muerte Negra," which translates to Black Death, which refers to black tar heroin.

Austin police said large amounts of heroin were being sold to dealers inside Jovita's and nearby. The buyers would turn around and sell it to people on the street.

"It's a very visible point for people to come in and out of," said Austin Police Commander Donald Baker. "It doesn't draw attraction."

Police say Pardo and his team were selling between $3,400 and $6,250 worth of heroin each day. His restaurant and home behind Jovita's were two of 10 locations raided at 5 a.m. Thursday.

Agents used explosives to get through his front door, which they say is always barricaded with a 2x4-inch piece of wood.

In all investigators seized heroin, cars, guns, ammunition, real estate and $36,000 in cash.

"I'm not really that surprised," said Matt Meshbane, who used to book bands for the restaurant. "Everybody knows they were doing some kind of money laundering or something there because how do you keep a place open and empty for all those years?"

Meshbane said he stopped working for Pardo last December because the owner refused to pay bands 10 percent of bar sales, which is the standard in Austin. Pardo never explained why.

"Said he didn't want people knowing his business," said Meshbane, who had seen weapons around the restaurant.

"When I had to go get paid one time he had me go look in this box. He said go pick up this box and open it up and there was a gun in there that he was selling. [The box] had a bunch of ammo," said Meshbane.

Pardo's wife, Amanda Pardo, who was also arrested, was always at the restaurant. Meshbane said she wrote the checks that sometimes bounced.

Police said Pardo has been convicted twice for murder -- once in 1972 and again in 1985. The 1985 conviction was out of Harris County.

According to a Houston newspaper, Pardo shot and killed a man from whom he bought drugs and served eight years for the crime.

Police also said Pardo and his brother who was arrested are documented members of the Texas Syndicate prison gang.