Police Find Cocaine, Illegal Gambling Machines in Liquor Store Raid

Across the United States, law enforcement targets establishments that offer illegal gambling. Such venues are often tied to other unlawful activities, including drug distribution, prostitution, as well as violent crimes such as robberies, battery and shootings. In one such operation, Norwalk, Connecticut law enforcement raided a liquor store on Ely Avenue.

The operation followed a tip law enforcement received that the location offered illegal gambling services while cocaine was also being sold at the venue. The recent operation marked the second raid of the same venue.

On Wednesday this week, the Norwalk Police Special Services Division executed a search warrant at Cocchia’s Liquor Store at 23 Ely Avenue in Norwalk. Besides searching the premises, law enforcement detained two individuals who are facing a range of charges for their suspected involvement.

The police raid at the liquor store uncovered illegal gambling devices. A total of seven such machines were found and seized during the raids. Additionally, a sum of approximately $4,932, proceeds from the illicit gambling activity, was also found and seized.

“While searching Cocchia’s, officers discovered seven full-size illegal gambling machines. These machines were positioned in two different locations of the store,“

reads a statement from Norwalk’s Police Department

Officers also reported finding money suspected of being the proceeds of cocaine distribution. Per a statement from Norwalk’s Police Department, the “proceeds of illegal gambling and cocaine sales will be applied for through state asset forfeiture.”

During the recent raid at Cocchia’s Liquor Store, police found and seized several bags of cocaine. While some of the bags with the illegal substance were stashed in a walk-in beer cooler, others were found on the two people who were detained. A couple of replica handguns were also uncovered during the operation.

Two People Are Facing Charges over Their Suspected Involvement

As noted, two people were arrested during the recent police operation. One of them was identified with the initials F.G.C., a 48-year-old man from Ely Avenue in Norwalk. According to police, he is suspected of being the leader of a violent Mexico-based gang.

Moreover, law enforcement was also tipped off that the 48-year-old man was involved in the sale of large quantities of cocaine from the liquor store that was recently raided.

The same 48-year-old man is facing an arrest warrant in New York over an illegal re-entry into the country. A Fugitive from Justice bond of $1 million was set for him. The man is now up against a range of charges, including possession of narcotics, sale of narcotics, conspiracy to sell narcotics, along with the warrant in New York.

Set to appear in court on August 21, 2024, the man’s bond is set at $55,000 and $1 million for the Fugitive from Justice charge.

The second person, a 44-year-old man identified with the initials J.G.F.L., of Norwalk, was also arrested and also faces several charges. The man’s charges include conspiracy to sell a narcotic substance and possession of a controlled substance, among others. Just like the other detainee, the 44-year-old man is set to appear in court on August 21 and his bond is set at $55,000.