A man currently in federal custody for his alleged role in a downtown drug ring is a suspect in a 12-year-old murder case.

According to police, Mike Yassine, an owner of eight downtown nightclubs, is a person of interest in the disappearance of Paresh Patel.

Patel, who was also a downtown club owner, was last seen leaving his establishment Azucar on Lavaca Street on Sept. 25, 2000. He conducted business with Yassine, and police say the two had a disagreement shortly before Patel’s disappearance.

Patel also owned Treasure Island, which was later taken over by Mike Yassine and his company, Yassine Enterprises.

Along with Treasure Island, Yassine Enterprises owns eight other bars and nightclubs, all located downtown. Federal agents from the FBI and IRS raided those bars last week and indictments unsealed the same day disclosed evidence of a significant money laundering and cocaine ring within the popular nightclubs.

Federal Judge Dennis Green denied bail Tuesday to 40-year-old Yassine, whose real name is Hussein.