FBI: Cocaine ring linked to 6th St bars

AUSTIN (KXAN) - An FBI raid of four downtown nightclubs has left 10 people with federal charges -- including firearms, money laundering and drug trafficking that allegedly dates back to December 2007.

Hussein Ali Yassine, his two brothers and their sister who works for them were in the group arrested in connection to the FBI raid on several Sixth Streets bars between Neches and Trinity streets.

The father of the four siblings was waiting outside the federal courthouse for part of the afternoon hoping to speak with his sons.

"My sons are clean," Ali Yassine told KXAN. He added that he was told that no drugs were found during the raids."Police (found) nothing. They looked in all clubs, in office. They (found) nothing."

Hussein is also known as Mike Yassine, who owns multiple bars in the Sixth Street District and other areas of downtown.

"I've known him for probably five years and really didn't have an idea that any of this was taking place," said Bob Woody, who owns about 22 downtown businesses.

"It comes as a surprise to me. He's one of the strongest players down here," he said. "My biggest concern right now is the staff that works for him. He employs a lot of people. And you know the typical bar might have anywhere from 15 to 20 employees, so we may be talking about a couple hundred people and their employment."

People arrested in FBI raid and list of charges

Hussein Ali Yassine, also known as "Mike"

• conspiracy to launder monetary instruments
• three counts of money laundering

Mohammed Ali Yassine, also known as "Steve," "Steve Austin" and "Hammudih"

• money laundering
• two counts of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine
• two counts of distribution of 500 grams or more of cocaine
• transferring a firearm knowing it is to be used in a drug trafficking crime

Hadi Ali Yassine

• conspiracy to launder monetary instruments
• two counts of money laundering

Marisse Marthe Ruales, also known as " Madi," executive assistant to Yassine brothers

• conspiracy to launder monetary instruments
• four counts of money laundering

Alejandro Melendrez, also known as "Alex" and "Cueta"

• two counts of distribution of cocaine

Amar Thabet Araf

• conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine
• distribution of 500 grams or more of cocaine

Sami Derder, general manager of Roial  

• conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine  
• distribution of cocaine

Edgar Orsini

• conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine
• distribution of cocaine

Nizar Hakiki, also known as "Nino"

• conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine
• distribution of 500 grams or more of cocaine
• transferring a firearm knowing it is to be used in a drug trafficking crime

Karim Faiq

• conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine
• distribution of 500 grams or more of cocaine
• conspiracy to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine

U.S. Attorney John Murphy said the arrests were made without incident. A detention hearing for the suspects has been set for Tuesday at the federal courthouse in Downtown Austin.

Mike, Steve and Hadi are all brothers, and Madi is their sister and executive assistant. In addition, federal authorities wrangled up Roial General Manager Sami Derder.

Authorities, meanwhile, were tight-lipped with details about the raid, saying only that they were conducting operations at Treasure Island Bar, Kiss & Fly, Pure and Fuel -- each owned by Yassine Enterprises.

All of those bars were closed Thursday night, with a sign posted on their door by the TABC saying their license was temporarily suspended.

"Because of the owners' negligence, it kind of puts a damper on all the other bars. It can actually
affect the other bars," said Sarah Davis, who's visiting Austin.

"I work at a bar down the street, actually, and so it does make everybody kind of look bad," Lucas DeRose said.

Court documents indicate the accused must turn over a total of $275,050 to federal authorities, money federal authorities said represents property involved in the crimes.

Mike Lemoine, a special agent with the Internal Revenue Service, said his agency along with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, the State Comptroller's Office and federal drug agents were also assisting in the operation. The Austin Police Department helped the FBI in the raid.

Federal hearings surrounding these charges happened Thursday in U.S. District Court.

 

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Founded in 1996, Yassine Enterprises is owned by Yassine. It's headquarters is located at 213 West Fourth St.

Venues listed on the Yassine Enterprises website

• Hyde 213 West Fourth St.
• Kiss and Fly 404 Colorado St.
• Roial 120 West Fifth St.
• Pure 419 East Sixth St.
• Malaia 300 East Sixth St.
• Spill 212 East Sixth St.
• Fuel 607 Trinity St.
• Treasure Island 413 East Sixth St.
• Stack Burger Bar 208 West Fourth St.

A lawsuit filed in September over labor laws was upgraded to a class-action in January. The suit names Roial, Malaia,