CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Hundreds of charges were filed in connection with raids of alleged illegal gambling arcades in the Charlotte area, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police announced on Friday.
Multiple law enforcement agencies, including federal, state and local authorities, executed search warrants Wednesday at "fish arcades" across North Carolina, including several in the Charlotte area. Detectives seized 117 gambling machines, approximately $18,000 in cash and two guns from locations on Albemarle Road and Providence Road in Charlotte, according to CMPD.
In total, 800 charges were filed in Gaston and Mecklenburg counties.
“These fish arcades and other illegal gambling locations are havens for criminal activity,” CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings said in a news release. “Often the most vulnerable members of our communities are targeted to gamble at these locations. We are very thankful for our local, state and federal law enforcement partners to help us send a message that we will not tolerate these establishments preying on our citizens.”
Two people were arrested in connection with the Charlotte arcades. Khalil Okasha, 50, was served on gambling warrants related to the investigation and 38-year-old Antwan Webb was arrested for providing unlicensed security at the facilities, police said.
"I saw black-and-white undercover cars pulling up, like 24 of them," a witness said. "Two armored vehicles with people with Army gear on. They rammed a window on the left and you hear a dynamite blast. It blew off the door, you could hear it in the back of the building."
Detectives also targeted arcades in Raleigh, Gastonia and Matthews as part of Wednesday's operation.
Detectives identified several other suspects who had warrants for their arrest. Jail records show most of the people on the following list have either been arrested or turned themselves in:
- Nina Nashar
- Nicole Nashar
- Hani Nashar
- Haissam Nashar
- Valarie Nashar
- Lillian Nashar
- Adam Nashar
Those suspects are all facing charges of illegal gambling, conducting and promoting a sweepstakes business, continuing criminal enterprise and possession, storage and operation of video gambling machines. A total of 496 charges were filed in Mecklenburg County and 304 charges were filed in Gastonia, according to CMPD.
Online records show that Nina Nashar's charges were based in Mecklenburg County and are tied to the arcades in Matthews and Charlotte.
Sources close to the investigation allege the Nashars are behind the gambling operation.
According to court documents and reporting from our sister station WFMY, the father of the family, Haissam Nashar, has a lengthy criminal history tied to burning down a convenience store and illegal cigarette smuggling.
WCNC Charlotte's Austin Walker went to the Nashar's home. No one was home but he spoke to someone who is subletting out of the house behind the home. The individual said he had no idea about what was happening. He said he was frustrated because his house was raided by police.
A neighbor told WCNC Charlotte the police had it wrong. She defended the family and said the kids were tied in it for no reason.
In 2022, the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department teamed up with federal agencies to crack down on illegal gambling. At the time, a spokesperson for the North Carolina Department of Public Safety's Alcohol and Law Enforcement Division said so-called "skill arcades" operating video keno games, slot games and fish tables are illegal in North Carolina.
CMPD said at the time a lot of violent crime was associated with these locations. The department said it will continue to conduct search warrants until they put a stop to illegal gambling operations in Charlotte.
Lawmakers in North Carolina have tried to take steps to regulate these types of establishments for years. North Carolina Representative Harry Warren from Rowan County introduced House Bill 512.
"The legislature has been unsuccessful," Warren said. "We need to recognize the industry, restrict it and regulate it in enforcement.”
He said if it were to pass, the public would see a decrease in criminal activity often associated with these types of businesses.
"To get a license or machine that would require an onsight or off-site ABC permit," Warren said.
The bill has not made it through the House, but Warren said he is hopeful for traction in the upcoming short session in Raleigh.
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