Two arrested in Columbus County unlawful gaming machine raid

NAKINA, N.C. (WECT) – The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) arrested two males and seized 5 unlawful gaming machines throughout a raid at a Nakina comfort retailer on Thursday, Jan. 8.

CCSO mentioned detectives executed a search warrant at Shop and Save Convenience Mart at 7824 Seven Creeks Highway after investigating citizen complaints about unlawful gaming actions.

Ali Shoqi Saleh and Ali Ahmed Hamdi Saleh had been each charged with working 5 or extra video gaming machines, a felony, together with a number of different gaming-related prices.

Ali Shoqi Saleh is charged with:

• Felony Operating Greater Than or Equal to five Video Gaming Machines
• Operating/Possessing a Slot Machine
• Operating Video Gaming Machines
• Electronic Sweepstakes

Ali Ahmed Hamdi Saleh is charged with the next:

• Felony Operating Greater Than or Equal to five Video Gaming Machines
• Operating/Possessing a Slot Machine
• Electronic Sweepstakes
• Operating Video Gaming Machines
• Gambling

Both males had been held on $5,000 secured bonds on the Columbus County Detention Center, however they’ve since been launched.

The CCSO Special Operations Division Vice/Narcotics Unit launched the investigation after receiving a number of complaints from residents. Detectives performed undercover operations and surveillance for a number of weeks earlier than acquiring the search warrant, in accordance with CCSO.

During the search, investigators say they discovered a lifeless wildlife animal saved within the enterprise’s walk-in cooler. Columbus County Environmental Health Services responded to evaluate the ‘serious’ hygiene issues.

CCSO says the investigation stays energetic as detectives pursue further leads associated to unlawful gaming operations in Columbus County.

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