Decatur man arrested in seizure of 50 gambling machines
Decatur police have made another arrest in an investigation that earlier this week resulted in the seizure of about 50 gambling machines.
According to police, Bander “Mario” Mohamed, 42, of Madison, turned himself in and was arrested on active warrants for drug trafficking, unlawful to maintain electric bells, drug possession and promoting gambling.
He was booked into the Morgan County Jail on $202,300 bond.
Police had sought Mohamed following a search on Monday at a residence in the 1000 block of Hoover Avenue S.W. The search came after months of complaints from residents about illegal gambling and drug activity, as well as calls on disturbances, gunshots and reckless driving, police said.
According to investigators, the search turned up 50 illegal gambling devices, an “extensive” camera and alert system, multiple firearms, a trafficking amount of opiate pills and a large quantity of Khat, a narcotic stimulant.
Maher Algassari Anwaraddin, 31, was charged with trafficking in illegal drugs, unlawful to maintain electric bells, drug possession, illegal possession of prescription drugs and promoting gambling. Five others were charged with simple gambling, a misdemeanor, while another person was charged with public intoxication.
Police said in a statement that other investigations into similar gambling establishments are ongoing.