MIAMI TARGETS EATERIES SELLING DRUGS, WOMEN

By day, they are your run-of-the-mill Latin eateries, offering everything
from medianoche to bistec empanizado to Cuban coffee. But when nightfall
comes, police say, some begin serving something else: cocaine, prostitutes,
and, on occasion, a free strip show.

Although these cafeterias claim to be food establishments, patrons are
showered with attractive women who are paid to flirt with them, sit on
their laps and caress them, according to police.

''These are not your regular lounges,'' said Mario Garcia, a police major
in Miami's South District. ``These are cafeterias that are operating as
nightclubs, bars or, excuse my language, bordellos because there is lots of
prostitution going on.''

On Thursday, Miami city commissioners voted unanimously to crack down on
these so-called cafeterias by tightening the city's liquor laws and closing
loopholes. No one spoke in opposition.

The ordinance restricts the sale of alcohol in cafeterias and coffee shops
from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and Saturday, and from noon to 10 p.m.
on Sundays.

The old rules allowed businesses that sell food also to sell beer and wine,
meaning technically these businesses could not be shut down -- unless they
were caught engaging in illegal activity.

But police and city officials said the cafeterias attract too much crime,
so they should stop operating as bars and begin sticking to food sales.

Mayor Manny Diaz, who sponsored the ordinance, said the city has to put a
stop to these illegal cafeterias because they pose a safety hazard to the
neighborhoods and degrade their quality of life.

''The city of Miami has regretfully been a dumping ground for far too
long,'' Diaz said during an impromptu press conference in his office after
the ordinance was passed.

``These types of things have not been happening in other cities. We've
always been a step behind.''

In Miami, illegal cafeterias are common in low-income neighborhoods like
Flagami, Little Havana and Allapattah. Police say there are probably
hundreds of them, many of them rife with drugs and prostitution.

''You name it, they are doing it,'' Sgt. Joe Seiglie said. ``They have
gambling operations, prostitution. Patrons, sometimes owners, sell cocaine
and marijuana.''

Seiglie said the owners do not even try to hide their shady operations:
They advertise on storefronts that they hire only beautiful women. Many, he
said, have casino-like machines that promote gambling.

''This isn't just someone going into a bar to have a drink,'' said
Commissioner Joe Sanchez, whose district includes Little Havana. ``This is
a person who is charged for having company.''

Said Commissioner Angel Gonzalez, who represent Allapattah: ``I think
overall, we are going to see a big difference in our neighborhoods.''