The FBI and other law enforcement agencies conducted large-scale operations in Houston and Harris County, attacking 30 illegal game rooms, resulting in 45 arrests.
The arrested included Pakistan – the original business owner, staff and two police officers accused of providing protection for these illegal gambling operations.
In this operation, the FBI also raided the alleged owner of one of these gambling dens, Pakistan-Okin personally, whose videos were recorded by nearby residents and shared on social media.
The operation exposed a huge network of corruption involving illegal gambling operations and corrupt law enforcement officers engaged in bribery and other illegal activities.
Houston and Harris County are operating more than 20 illegal game rooms, resulting in millions of dollars in illegal income, according to the investigation.
These actions have been supported by influential government officials, which has enabled them to continue to carry out unrestricted years. Sources said large amounts of bribes were paid to protect the businesses from police lawsuits.
In addition, corrupt police have put pressure on competitor business owners to close their game rooms. This is what led to the FBI case, and after extensive investigation, this major action was performed.
The FBI and other federal agencies arrested 16 key individuals in this operation, including Nizar Ali, Naeem Ali, Amir Khan, Eshan Dhoka, Shil Krovlia, Safariz Mardia, Shoaib Mardia, Yolanda Figo Rova, Viviana Olivardo, Anabel Elvisa Guevara, Priscila Solis, Maria Dela Rosa, Claudia Calderon, and Lucia Hernandez. Syed Ali and Stephanie Horta have two more people, and they are still the whole person.
These people face serious conspiracy, illegal gambling business, involvement in interstate criminal activities and money laundering. If the allegations are proven, they could face a sentence of five to twenty years in prison.
Further investigations show that more than 30 undocumented immigrants have been hired as armed guards in illegal game rooms and other businesses.
Some arrested persons have serious criminal records, including financial crimes, abuse of minors and other illegal activities. Social media has also been found to be used to promote these businesses.
Online groups and pages “CICI BAYTOWN” and “CICI Chinatown” are used to promote these illegal gambling operations to attract more people to the business.
During the raid, the FBI and other agencies seized more than 2,000 illegal slot machines, eight guns, 100 valuable Rolex watches, $4.5 million in cash, $6.5 million in bank accounts and other financial assets, and several luxury cars.
