Top Jovita's suspect hospitalized

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The lawyer for Jovita's owner Amado Pardo told a federal judge on Thursday that his client had to be taken to the hospital overnight and asked that his court hearing be postponed until July 10.

it was not immediately clear why Pardo needed medical attention. But he was to appear before a U.S. district judge on Thursday in connection with his arrest last week on charges that he was operating a heroin-distribution ring from his South Austin restaurant.

In court on Wednesday, Pardo's wife, Amanda Pardo, was released after posting an unsecured $25,000 bond.

The Pardos were among 18 people rounded up by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies on drug and weapons charges.

During Thursday's court hearing, further proceedings for suspect Tatiana Huang, 25, was resent until Tuesday.

Also, agents offered more testimony containing details from wiretapped conversations and surveillance video involving several of the suspects.

Chris Mier, 32, was seen going to Jovita's then selling heroin, one agent said. In May, Mier was pulled over for speeding, the agent said. In his car, officers found 130 grams of heroin, the agent said..

From that incident, he was taken to hospital for infection associated with using heroin. Loaded pistol, heroin, ammo found during search of home.

The raid was part of an investigation at 1619 S. First St. and a house in the 400 block of Milton Street. Eight other locations were also raided, police said. In all, police seized $1.5 million in assets, including the restaurant, weapons, vehicles and cash.

Police said 15 of the suspects were charged in a federal indictment that was unsealed Thursday with conspiracy to posses with intent to distribute heroin. The others are facing state felony charges for either possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute or possession of a controlled substance.

The raid was part of an extensive investigation involving the FBI, Austin police, the Travis County Sheriff's Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety. They dubbed it "Operation Muerte Negra."