Modesto PD Seizes $27K, Cracks Down on Illegal Gambling

Modesto has been in the news cycle frequently these days. First, a big-time winner scooped $1 million from the Illinois Lottery, and now, law enforcement has moved against illegal gambling operators.

All told, the Chicago-area’s soft spot for games of chance is well-documented. Police have now arrested four people on illegal gambling charges, part of a sting operation.

The Modesto Police Department’s Crime Reduction Team and the Code Enforcement Unit were able to identify venues that were fronts of unauthorized gambling activity, and specifically four convenience stores:

• A & Z Smoke Shop (1410 Carver Road)
• J’s Smoke Shop (2028 West Orangeburg Avenue)
• Kwik-E-Mart (1425 La Loma Avenue)
• Mousa Market (804 2nd Street)

Police was tipped off by concerned community members and citizens who flagged the activity. Officers later infiltrated the locations to confirm, discovering that they were offered to gamble online at the venues. 

“Undercover officers opened gambling accounts at the businesses, placed wagers, and were able to both gamble and collect winnings directly from store employees,” the Modest PD said in a statement. 

The convenience store was a very bad front for the activity, as it was ill-maintained, including expired products on the shelves. Upon raiding the four locations, four individuals were arrested, along with $27,000 seized by the police. 

The department said that it would continue to push back against instances of illegal gambling, looking to shutter physical locations. 

“These operations are part of ongoing efforts to hold businesses accountable and ensure compliance with state and local laws,” the statement wrapped up. Additional charges were filed against one arrested employee for methamphetamine possession charges.