Edward H. Campbell (@EdwardHCampbell)

Mexican illegal alien and local bar owner pleads guilty to cocaine, stolen vehicle crimes CINCINNATI – A Mexican citizen living in West Chester with an expired visa, who owned bars in Cincinnati and Middletown, pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiring to distribute drugs from the businesses. The defendant also participated in the buying and selling of stolen vehicles. Sergio Velasco-Cortes, 42, also known as Piojo, Gordo, and Bruno, was a member of a drug trafficking organization that distributed kilogram shipments of cocaine throughout the Southern District of Ohio, including the Cincinnati area. He owned and operated Ibiza Restaurant and Lounge in Cincinnati and Bar Bunny in Middletown. In fall 2024, Velasco-Cortes purchased Ibiza from another drug trafficking organization member for $250,000 in cash. Velasco-Cortes admitted to engaging in drug trafficking activity at both bar locations. In December 2024 and January 2025, Velasco-Cortes drove to a mechanic shop in Indianapolis to buy bulk amounts of narcotics to bring back to southern Ohio. The defendant was also connected to a co-conspirator obtaining shipments of cocaine from Puerto Rico. The co-conspirator delivered drugs to Velasco-Cortes at Bar Bunny in February 2025. When executing search warrants in March and April 2025, agents discovered seven stolen vehicles at Velasco-Cortes’s residence. Several of the vehicles had falsified VINs. Further investigation revealed Velasco-Cortes and others discussed buying, “cleaning,” and selling stolen cars. Velasco-Cortes and five others were charged federally on April 1, 2025. https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdoh/pr/mexican-citizenlocal-bar-owner-pleads-guilty-cocaine-stolen-vehicle-crimes #News #US #Mexico #Border #Crime #Illegals #Fraud #Theft #Narcotrafficking #Conspiracy