WACO (August 30, 2012)—Three Waco men have been arrested by police after a lengthy investigation into what officers call illegal gambling operations.
Hasan Ghithan, 27, was being held in the McLennan County Jail in lieu of $8,000 bond, charged with keeping a gambling place and was being held on an immigration detainer, according to the jail log.
Waco police Sgt. W. Patrick Swanton said Thursday Tawi Hana, 43, and Mohammad Ikreiwish, 32, were arrested earlier in August on similar charges.
Hana has posted bond and been released from jail but Ikreiwish remains in custody held on a $4,000 and on an immigration detainer.
According to a Waco police news release, on Aug. 29 officers served a search warrant at What’s Up? Smokes & Groceries that resulted in seizure of 16 gambling machines, a small amount of marijuana, a surveillance system and $3,200 in cash.
On Aug. 2, according to the release, officers served another search warrant at House of Hookah, on Waco Drive, where 12 gambling machines were seized along with $15,000 in cash.