The North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Division (ALE) has charged nine individuals with a total of 68 offenses after investigating an illegal nightclub in Raleigh. The investigation began following a tip about unlawful activity at Blue Vibes, located at 4904 Atlantic Ave.
Undercover ALE agents visited the establishment several times and observed multiple violations of alcohol laws, including the sale of alcoholic beverages without permits. During each visit, agents reported that between 200 and 250 people were present inside the club.
Authorities identified those involved in running the operation and noted that some have a history of managing illegal businesses and nightclubs where shootings resulting in injuries have previously occurred. In both 2022 and 2024, ALE executed search warrants at the business’s former location on Spring Forest Road.
One employee, Jeffery Lynch, was previously arrested in connection with a fatal shooting at StarBar in Raleigh in 2020. Lynch was later charged with murder and pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter.
On January 23, ALE agents, along with the Raleigh Police Department, executed a search warrant at Blue Vibes. Eight people were arrested during this operation. Agents seized two firearms, over eleven gallons of liquor, more than four hundred bottles of beer and wine, and $1,263 in cash.
Those arrested include Thomas Hugh Alston of Durham; Austin Andrew Beltre of Knightdale; JaQuell Trevonte Harrell of Raleigh; Jeffery Steven Lynch of Apex; Milagros Bonilla Ortega of Raleigh; Yandel Ortega of Raleigh; Krystle Peralta of Knightdale; and Amaury Salvador Gonzales Rodriguez of Raleigh. Charges range from two to sixteen misdemeanors per individual.
Investigators determined that Elvin David Beltre of Knightdale, together with Milagros Ortega and Rodriguez, organized the illegal operation. Beltre was not present during the initial search but became a focus as the investigation continued.
On January 27, ALE served a search warrant at Beltre’s residence on Friarwood Way in Knightdale. Agents seized three firearms—including a weapon described as a “Glock switch,” which converts a handgun into an automatic weapon—and documents linking Beltre to Blue Vibes ownership.
As of January 29, arrest warrants for Elvin Beltre include felony possession of a weapon of mass destruction as well as several misdemeanor charges related to conspiracy, aiding and abetting, and drug paraphernalia possession.
“The investigation is ongoing, and more arrests and charges are forthcoming,” according to authorities.
