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USA Today
06-04-2025
- USA Today
More than a dozen Texas residents accused of operating $22 million illegal gambling scheme
More than $16 million in cash, guns and property – including 100 Rolex watches – were seized by federal authorities during the operation to shut down an alleged illegal gambling scheme. USA TODAY More than a dozen Houston-area residents have been accused of operating an illegal gambling business, including game rooms, that made more than $22 million in proceeds, federal authorities said. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas, Nizar Ali, 61, of Richmond, Texas, and his alleged accomplices "conspired to own, operate or assist in the operation of illegal game rooms." The group also allegedly conspired to conceal and disguise the money made from the illegal gambling scheme by conducting fraudulent financial transactions, the Justice Department said. U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei on Thursday called the bust "one of the largest ever law enforcement operations in the Southern District of Texas." In addition to Ali, the other Texas residents charged include Naeem Ali, 33, and Amer Khan, 68, both of Richmond; Ishan Dhuka, 33, and Sahil Karovalia, 32, both of Rosenberg; Sarfarez Maredia, 38, and Shoaib Maredia, 40, both of Sugar Land; Yolanda Figueroa, 40, of Pasadena; Viviana Alvarado, 45, of LaPorte; and Anabel Eloisa Guevarra, 46, Precela Solis, 27, Maria Delarosa, 53, Claudia Calderon, 37, and Lucia Hernandez, 34, all of Houston. Two additional persons charged – Sayed Ali, 59, of Richmond, and Stephanie Huerta, 35, of Houston – are considered fugitives, and warrants remain outstanding for their arrests, the U.S. attorney's office said. Authorities also arrested 31 individuals living in the country illegally on various immigration and gun charges during the operation on April 2, according to the Justice Department. Federal authorities seized more than $16 million in cash, property and guns To bring down the alleged operation, more than 700 law enforcement officers from 18 agencies served 45 search and 40 seizure warrants at locations throughout Houston and the surrounding area, according to the Justice Department. Of the searched locations, 30 were illegal game rooms with names like El Portal and Yellow Building, the U.S. attorney's office added. During "Operation Double Down," authorities recovered more than $4.5 million in cash, $5 million in property and vehicles, 2,000 slot machines, 100 Rolex watches and eight firearms, the Justice Department said. Additionally, law enforcement seized about $6.5 million from bank accounts and other financial institutions. Those named in the indictment have been charged with conspiracy, operating an illegal gambling business, interstate travel in aid of racketeering and conspiracy to commit money laundering, according to the U.S. attorney's office. If convicted, each faces up to five years for the first three initial charges, while the money laundering conspiracy charge carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years, the Justice Department said. Nizar Ali is also charged with 32 counts of federal program bribery for allegedly paying more than $500,000 to an undercover officer to try and protect the illegal game rooms from being busted by law enforcement, according to the U.S. attorney's office. If convicted on these charges, he faces up to 10 years for each count, the Justice Department added.
USA Today
06-04-2025
- USA Today
More than a dozen Texas residents accused of operating $22 million illegal gambling scheme
More than a dozen Texas residents accused of operating $22 million illegal gambling scheme More than $16 million in cash, guns and property – including 100 Rolex watches – were seized by federal authorities during the operation to shut down an alleged illegal gambling scheme. Show Caption Hide Caption Experts say gambling is a big health risk Gambling is just as addictive as alcohol and tobacco, so why isn't it treated like it? A group of medical experts says that needs to change. Straight Arrow News More than a dozen Houston-area residents have been accused of operating an illegal gambling business, including game rooms, that made more than $22 million in proceeds, federal authorities said. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas, Nizar Ali, 61, of Richmond, Texas, and his alleged accomplices "conspired to own, operate or assist in the operation of illegal game rooms." The group also allegedly conspired to conceal and disguise the money made from the illegal gambling scheme by conducting fraudulent financial transactions, the Justice Department said. U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei on Thursday called the bust "one of the largest ever law enforcement operations in the Southern District of Texas." In addition to Ali, the other Texas residents charged include Naeem Ali, 33, and Amer Khan, 68, both of Richmond; Ishan Dhuka, 33, and Sahil Karovalia, 32, both of Rosenberg; Sarfarez Maredia, 38, and Shoaib Maredia, 40, both of Sugar Land; Yolanda Figueroa, 40, of Pasadena; Viviana Alvarado, 45, of LaPorte; and Anabel Eloisa Guevarra, 46, Precela Solis, 27, Maria Delarosa, 53, Claudia Calderon, 37, and Lucia Hernandez, 34, all of Houston. Two additional persons charged – Sayed Ali, 59, of Richmond, and Stephanie Huerta, 35, of Houston – are considered fugitives, and warrants remain outstanding for their arrests, the U.S. attorney's office said. Authorities also arrested 31 individuals living in the country illegally on various immigration and gun charges during the operation on April 2, according to the Justice Department. Federal authorities seized more than $16 million in cash, property and guns To bring down the alleged operation, more than 700 law enforcement officers from 18 agencies served 45 search and 40 seizure warrants at locations throughout Houston and the surrounding area, according to the Justice Department. Of the searched locations, 30 were illegal game rooms with names like El Portal and Yellow Building, the U.S. attorney's office added. During "Operation Double Down," authorities recovered more than $4.5 million in cash, $5 million in property and vehicles, 2,000 slot machines, 100 Rolex watches and eight firearms, the Justice Department said. Additionally, law enforcement seized about $6.5 million from bank accounts and other financial institutions. Seven tigers found in arrest: Nevada man says some of his 'emotional support' tigers came from Joe Exotic Those named in the indictment have been charged with conspiracy, operating an illegal gambling business, interstate travel in aid of racketeering and conspiracy to commit money laundering, according to the U.S. attorney's office. If convicted, each faces up to five years for the first three initial charges, while the money laundering conspiracy charge carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years, the Justice Department said. Nizar Ali is also charged with 32 counts of federal program bribery for allegedly paying more than $500,000 to an undercover officer to try and protect the illegal game rooms from being busted by law enforcement, according to the U.S. attorney's office. If convicted on these charges, he faces up to 10 years for each count, the Justice Department added.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Yahoo
Massive Houston operation charges 16 for $22 million game room scheme, 45 arrests total
The bust of a multimillion-dollar illegal gambling and money laundering conspiracy led to a flurry of arrests in the Houston area Wednesday. It was one of the largest law enforcement operations in the Southern District of Texas, U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei says. The conspiracy had generated more than $22 million. A total of 16 people have been charged for the conspiracy, 14 of which have been arrested. An additional 31 were arrested and received immigration and firearm charges during the operation, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office. One undocumented immigrant reportedly assaulted a law enforcement officer. "The indictment, returned March 26 and unsealed upon the arrests, alleges Nizar Ali, 61, Richmond, and others allegedly conspired to own, operate or assist in the operation of illegal game rooms," the release says. "All also conspired to conduct financial transactions to conceal and disguise the nature and source of the proceeds of the illegal gambling business, which totaled more than $22 million, according to the charges." The police raids were a result of "Operation Double Down" and involved over 700 law enforcement officers across 18 agencies, serving 45 search warrants and 40 seizure warrants in the Houston area. Included in the targeted raids were 30 illegal game rooms, such as El Portal and Yellow Building. The U.S. Attorney's Office reports officers involved in Operation Double Down recovered the following: Over $4.5 million in cash $5 million in property and vehicles 2,000 slot machines 100 Rolex watches 8 firearms Approximately $6.5 million from bank accounts and other financial institutions Of the 16 individuals charged with conspiracy, 14 were taken into custody Wednesday, according to the press release: Nizar Ali, 61, Richmond Naeem Ali, 33, Richmond Amer Khan, 68, Richmond Ishan Dhuka, 33, Rosenberg Sahil Karovalia, 32, Rosenberg Sarfarez Maredia, 38, Sugar Land Shoaib Maredia, 40, Sugar Land Yolanda Figueroa, 40, Pasadena Viviana Alvarado, 45, LaPorte Anabel Eloisa Guevarra, 46, Houston Precela Solis, 27, Houston Maria Delarosa, 53, Houston Claudia Calderon, 37, Houston Lucia Hernandez, 34, Houston Two other individuals — Sayed Ali, 59, Richmond, and Stephanie Huerta, 35, Houston — were identified as fugitives with outstanding arrest warrants. The identities of the other 31 individuals arrested during the operation have not been made public. All those taken into custody have been charged with "conspiracy, operating an illegal gambling business and interstate travel in aid of racketeering," the U.S. Attorney's Office reports, each carrying up to five years in prison. They are also indicted on conspiracy to commit money laundering, punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Nizar Ali faces additional charges. He is indicted on "32 counts of federal program bribery for allegedly paying more than $500,000 to an undercover officer in an attempt to protect the illicit game rooms from law enforcement intervention." He may serve up to ten additional years in prison for each charge. The money laundering charge has a maximum fine of $500,000 or twice the value of the property involved. The other charges have a maximum fine of $250,000. The following agencies contributed to Wednesday's raids: Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) Houston Police Department (HPD) Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program Harris County Constable's Office – Precinct One Harris County District Attorney's Office Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) ICE – Enforcement and Removal Operations Customs and Border Protection sheriff's offices in Harris and Montgomery Counties Houston Fire Department Texas Attorney General's Office Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) police departments in Baytown and Pasadena This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas police raid dozens of Houston game rooms involved in $22M scheme
