Gaming casino operators arrested

Published 6:31 pm Tuesday, March 31, 2020

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Search warrants served recently at a pair of gaming casino operations in Hertford County resulted in two arrests.

Hertford County Sheriff Dexter Hayes said that Jamil Marwan Yazaji and Rawad Sabra, both of Jacksonville, Florida, were arrested after a search of The Best, a gaming casino located at 2327 US 13 South, Ahoskie, was found to be in violation of state laws pertaining to those types of businesses.

Hayes said five gambling tables (known as ‘fish tables”) were seized upon the execution of the search warrant. Also seized was $90,232 in U.S. currency as well as two pistols, one of which was reported stolen from Jacksonville, Florida.

Both men were charged with one misdemeanor count of illegal gambling, and one felony count each of operating five or more gaming tables and possession of five or more gaming tables.

Yazaji was also charged with felony possession of a stolen firearm. His bond was set at $7,000 while Sabra was given a $5,000 bond.

Hayes said a search warrant was also executed at The Come Up, a gaming casino located at 605 Main Street in Winton. That establishment is operated by Ribhi “Bobby” Farraj of Suffolk, VA.

There, the search warrant led to the seizure of 10 flat gaming (fish) tables, eight upright gaming tables, seven standard gaming tables, and $24,503.37 in U.S. currency.

Sheriff Hayes said an arrest is pending per further investigation.

Joining the Hertford County Sheriff’s Office in serving the search warrants were officers with North Carolina ALE (Alcohol Law Enforcement), the Ahoskie Police Department, the Murfreesboro Police Department, and the Vidant Company Police Department.

About Cal Bryant

Cal Bryant, a 40-year veteran of the newspaper industry, serves as the Editor at Roanoke-Chowan Publications, publishers of the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald, Gates County Index, and Front Porch Living magazine.

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