Licenses Committee recommends nonrenewal of El Inferno tavern after drug-trafficking investigation

The Milwaukee Licenses Committee on Jan. 7 voted to recommend the nonrenewal of the Class B Tavern license for El Inferno (2000 W. Mitchell St.) after hearing testimony from Milwaukee Police and related task force agents about a drug-trafficking investigation that included controlled buys and evidence seizures.

Milwaukee Police Officer Yulia Boyd, assigned to the Milwaukee Safe Streets task force (working with the FBI), described a months-long investigation that culminated in synchronized search warrants at 13 locations on May 2, 2024. The officer said surveillance and controlled purchases identified multiple hand-to-hand narcotics transactions occurring at or around the tavern. During that operation officers recovered about 2.93 grams of cocaine at the El Inferno premises, about $31,904 in cash in multiple locations including bags in a freezer, and evidence consistent with large-scale distribution. The task force said the investigation led to multiple arrests, federal indictments for some targets and recoveries of weapons and additional narcotics.

Officer Boyd said investigators watched extensive hand-to-hand dealing, made controlled purchases (including a half-kilogram buy reported in the investigation), and secured video surveillance and physical evidence that implicated multiple individuals who regularly congregated at El Inferno. According to the testimony the venue appeared to be used as a drug distribution hub in the task force's findings.

At the Licenses Committee hearing, counsel for the licensee declined to contest the procedure but asked for more time and for an opportunity for counsel; the committee proceeded after considering the Milwaukee Police Department's evidence and statements. Committee members debated the seriousness of the law-enforcement findings and the pattern of activity described by the task force.

By committee roll call the Licenses Committee voted to recommend that the Common Council nonrenew the tavern license. The committee chair read the required notice advising that the committee would prepare a written report of findings and conclusions and that the licensee has the right to submit written exceptions by Jan. 15 and to appear before the Common Council when it considers the recommendation Jan. 21. The chair and city attorney reiterated this committee action is a recommendation; final action rests with the full Common Council.

Ending: The committee forwarded its written findings and recommendation for nonrenewal to the Common Council; the licensee may submit written exceptions and appear at the council meeting Jan. 21.