Owner Of Sip & Bite Charged In Federal Cocaine Sting

BALTIMORE, Md. (WJZ)—The owner of a landmark Baltimore restaurant has been arrested in a drug sting operation in Virginia.

Alex DeMetrick has more on the federal case being made against the owner of the Sip & Bite Diner in Canton.

The Sip & Bite Restaurant has been in business for 65 years in Canton--sticking to the basics, they draw a familiar crowd and attention.

In 2012, WJZ profiled the restaurant 's appearance on Guy Fierri's cable show.

"We're honored really and couldn't be more happy than what's happened to us the past couple of months," said  Anthony Vasiliades Sip & Bite Owner.

The same can't be said about the past couple of weeks. That's when cocaine entered the picture.

According to charging documents filed in federal court in Virginia, alleging Vasiliades and a second Baltimore man named Minas Politis tried to buy 2 kilos of cocaine for distribution, from a confidential source, or CS working for police.

In a recorded call Politis asked: Guaranteed, two for fifty?

The CS answers : Yup, two for fifty, yup.

Politis: My man, my man...alright I'll see you tomorrow.

On YouTube, Alexandria, Virginia is a favorite for tourist videos, it also became the scene for the cocaine buy in a parking lot.

According to the charging documents, January 14th Politis and Vasiliades drive there to meet the CS. The pair hand over $50,000 in cash, and 2-kiols of coke supplied by the DEA change hands.

The two suspects are immediately arrested for purchase with intent to distribute.

A devastating sting for a man who posed with celebrities like Michael Phelps, and actor George Clooney, who filmed a scene of his movie "Siriana" in the Sip & Bite.

Now, real life legal drama is suddenly being served up--not to the restaurant, but to Anthony Vasiliades and Minas Politis.

According to the charging document, when federal agents and police approached the two men in their car, they complied with all orders when placed under arrest.

Beyond intent to distribute, the charging document made no allusions as to why the two defendants allegedly needed to by $50,000 worth of cocaine.

Sip & Bite opening in 1948 and was recently featured on an episode of 'Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives' on The Food Network.