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06/22/2012 05:58 PM

Music community reacts to Jovita’s drug bust

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Eighteen people are under arrest and 15 are facing federal indictments in connection to a South Austin heroin ring that shut down a popular South First street restaurant.

The FBI says Jovita's was a base for the Texas Syndicate Prison Gang.

Officers say it was run by the restaurant's owner, Amado "Mayo" Pardo. News of the drug bust came as a shock to residents of South First Street after a dramatic drug bust Thursday morning, but it's also making an impact on the music community.

"You know it's tough enough for musicians to make a living at their passion, and for a venue to be shut down for something that could have been prevented, that's a shame," Kull said.

For 20 years, Jovita's has hosted music six nights a week. Two bands were scheduled to play Thursday night.

Jovita Pardo, who the restaurant is named after, says she will do everything she can to reopen the business.