Latest news with #OperationDoubleDown
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Yahoo
Game room bust: Brazoria County authorities close over 10 game room facilities
The Brief Over 10 game room facilities are closed in Brazoria County after operating without proper permits. The closed businesses will remain closed until they come into compliance with the ordinance. Any owners who continue to operate without a permit may face up to $10,000 in fines or arrest on a Class A misdemanor charge. BRAZORIA COUNTY, Texas - Over 10 game room facilities are now closed in Brazoria County, authorities announced on Wednesday. What we know Officials said the facilities were operating without proper permits in violation of the county's game room ordinance. The ordinance, which was instituted by the Brazoria County Commissioners Court in March 2024, established clear permitting requirements for game room operations. Officials stated that over 30 game rooms have successfully completed the permit process to date. Authorities said the facilities that were closed on Wednesday failed to meet requirements despite multiple opportunities to do so. The closed businesses will remain closed until they come into compliance with the ordinance, officials said. Any owners who continue to operate without a permit may face up to $10,000 in fines or arrest on a Class A misdemeanor charge. What we don't know Officials did not provide a list of the locations that were closed on Wednesday. Dig deeper As you may recall, FOX 26 reported about multiple game room raids taking place just last week across the Houston area. A 61-year-old man was among 45 people arrested for a multi-million-dollar scheme involving illegal game rooms in the Houston area. According to federal officials, 30 of the man's game rooms were the target of the police raids. Over 720 law enforcement agents and officers were involved in the raids. The operation involved about 20 local and federal agencies, including Houston police, the Harris County Sheriff's Office, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the IRS, and the FBI. Officials raided 45 locations in total across the Houston area, including 30 alleged illegal gaming rooms with names like "El Portal" and "Yellow Building." Ganjei says the raids were the result of a five-year "Operation Double Down" operation involving multiple agencies. Officials were executing 85 warrants and a 37-count indictment against 16 suspects. The Source Information provided by the Brazoria County Sheriff's Office, as well as previous FOX 26 reporting.
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
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Yahoo
Houston game room raids: 61-year-old ring leader among 16 charged in $22 million scheme; 45 arrested in total
The Brief Local and federal law enforcement raided 30 illegal gaming rooms across the Houston area on Wednesday. Nearly 15 people were taken into custody. Two are still wanted. A Richmond man allegedly used family members, among others, to operate game rooms, then transferred proceeds to his other financial assets. Over 30 undocumented immigrants were allegedly arrested for working as armed security. The alleged leader paid who he thought was a corrupt officer for protection from the law. The officer was actually undercover. HOUSTON - A 61-year-old man is among 45 people arrested for a multi-million-dollar scheme involving illegal game rooms in the Houston area. According to federal officials, 30 of the man's game rooms were the target of police raids on Wednesday. What we know U.S. Attorney Nicholas Ganjei says over 720 law enforcement agents and officers were involved in Wednesday's raids. The operation involved about 20 local and federal agencies, including Houston police, the Harris County Sheriff's Office, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the IRS, and the FBI. Officials raided 45 locations in total across the Houston area, including 30 alleged illegal gaming rooms with names like "El Portal" and "Yellow Building." Ganjei says the raids were the result of a five-year "Operation Double Down" operation involving multiple agencies. Officials were executing 85 warrants and a 37-count indictment against 16 suspects. The following 14 have been arrested: Nizar Ali, 61, from Richmond Naeem Ali, 33, Richmond Amer Khan, 68, Richmond Ishan Dhuka, 33, Rosenberg Shil Karovalia, 32, Rosenberg Safarez Maredia, 38, Sugar Land Shoaib Maredia, 40, Sugar Land Yoland Figueroa, 40, Pasadena Viviana Alverado, 45, LaPorte Anabel Eloisa Guevarra, 46, Houston Precela Solis, 27, Houston Maria Delarosa, 53, Houston Claudia Calderon, 37, Houston Lucia Hernandez, 34, Houston Two others are still wanted: 59-year-old Sayed Ali of Richmond 35-year-old Stephanie Huerta of Houston The suspects are accused of "conspiracy, operating an illegal gambling business and interstate travel in aid of racketeering," with each charge carrying an up to five-year prison sentence. The suspects are also charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries an up to 20-year sentence. According to Ganjei, no game room customers were arrested during the raids. Only those who were accused of helping to operate the game rooms were reportedly arrested. "Nobody here is being charged with simply gambling. It's for people that were operating this criminal scheme and laundering money," Ganjei said. In addition to the arrests, officials seized over 2,000 illegal slot machines, eight firearms, "numerous high-end vehicles," 100 Rolex watches, $4.5 million in cash, and $6.5 million from accounts and other financial institutions. What we don't know It's also not clear what other 15 locations were targeted in Wednesday's raids. RELATED: Houston game rooms raided: Numerous locations targeted by authorities The backstory According to Ganjei, the game rooms were all being operated under one mastermind: 61-year-old Nizar Ali. Ali allegedly used family members, among others, to operate illegal game rooms across the Houston area. Ali then disguised the proceeds from the game rooms by distributing them among his businesses, 25 bank accounts, and other assets. Ganjei says Ali made $22 million in illicit proceeds. The suspect allegedly also hired 31 undocumented immigrants as armed guards for the game rooms and his other businesses. Those immigrants were arrested "on various immigration and firearm charges" during Wedensday's raids, according to Ganjei's office. "The scheme itself was sophisticated in its design and operation," Ganjei said in a press conference on Thursday. "It utilized armed security, surveillance systems, membership lists, and member ID cars to ensure that those that were accessing these game rooms were legitimate customers of theirs and couldn't otherwise expose the operation." In addition to the other charges, Ali is also charged with 32 counts of federal program bribery. Ganjei says Ali bribed who he thought was a corrupt Houston police officer, so his operations could be hidden from the law. The officer was actually undercover and involved in the investigation. The Source United States Attorney's Office - Southern District of Texas.
