Gambling Charges Filed Against Columbus And Gahanna Men

Liquor permit administratively cited for gambling and selling counterfeit items 

 

(COLUMBUS) – On December 22, agents with the Ohio Investigative Unit filed charges in Franklin County Municipal Court against a Columbus store owner and an employee for gambling-related offenses. 

On December 14, agents conducted a search warrant at Valero, 1326 Oakland Park Avenue, in Columbus and administratively cited the liquor permit for violations against the liquor permit. 

Serajul Hoque, 59, of Columbus, was charged with four counts of operating a gambling house and three counts of gambling. Jahangir Alam, 47, of Gahanna, was charged with operating a gambling house and gambling.

The liquor permit was cited with:

·         Six counts of acquire, possess, control or operate a gambling device;

·         Six counts of electronic video gambling device;

·         Six counts of game of chance for profit or scheme of chance;

·         Six counts of operating a gambling house;

·         Six counts of recklessly permitting public gaming;

·         Four counts of giving away alcohol as a prize;

·         Receiving stolen property;

·         Theft; and

·         Drug possession.

During the search warrant, agents seized slot machines; counterfeit CDs, DVDS, purses, jackets, clothing and perfumes; bottles of Viagra; credit cards; social security cards; an Ohio Identification card; and more than $840 in cash. 

Bravin Investigations and Security Group assisted agents with the investigation. Administrative cases will be presented to the Ohio Liquor Control Commission at a later date. Possible administrative penalties include fines, suspensions or revocation of the liquor permit.