UMVA has learned that a daring police operation in Charlotte has cracked down on suspected illegal gambling activity, resulting in multiple arrests, the seizure of over 100 machines, and the recovery of cash and firearms.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's Alcohol Beverage Control Unit, working in tandem with the SWAT team, served a search warrant at 999 Arcade, located in the 6400 block of East Independence Boulevard. This bold move was linked to an ongoing investigation into alleged illegal gambling at the business.
The raid yielded a significant haul: 102 illegal gambling stations were confiscated, and investigators recovered $37,983 in cash and two firearms. Four individuals were arrested and charged, while another person received a citation, marking a major victory for law enforcement.
The arrested individuals were identified as Jianwang Zhu, 40, who faces three felony and six misdemeanor gambling offenses; Haiong Zhang, 54, and Xiong Yang, 43, each charged with four felony and nine misdemeanor gambling offenses; and Aaron Johnson, 34, who faces four felony and nine misdemeanor gambling offenses, plus a misdemeanor count of providing unlicensed armed security. A fifth person, Jose Garcia, 33, received a citation for a misdemeanor gambling offense.
This operation is part of a broader effort by the ABC Unit to investigate locations suspected of facilitating illegal activity. The department is working closely with local and federal partners to identify individuals involved in unlawful gambling operations and shut down businesses operating illegally.
The police investigation remains active, with officers continuing to review evidence collected during the search. Authorities are urging anyone with information about illegal gambling activity to come forward and contact the department's ABC Unit or Crime Stoppers.
As the inquiry continues, officials have promised to keep a close eye on businesses suspected of violating state gambling laws. This latest raid follows a series of similar enforcement actions in the Charlotte area and elsewhere in North Carolina, highlighting the ongoing priority of targeting suspected gambling operations.
