Published Thursday, November 20, 2008

Gambling machines seized at three stores

By Amy Lott

The Times-Herald

Three local convenience stores were raided Thursday afternoon during an illegal video gambling sting conducted by the Newnan Police Department's City Drug Unit.

According to Detective-Sergeant Danny McDonald, illegal cash payouts were made to an undercover officer at each of the gas stations earlier in the week. McDonald -- head of the Drug Unit -- said citizen complaints initially prompted police to investigate the businesses for awarding winners money instead of store credit or prizes. "In Georgia, that constitutes commercial gambling," he said.

During a bust shortly after 2 p.m. at the BP station on Market Square Road in SummerGrove, officers seized five machines and arrested store clerk Ishtiaq Ahmad, 28, for commercial gambling. The store owner -- unidentified as of Thursday evening -- would also be taken into custody, according to authorities.

Lakeside Shell at 1215 Highway 34 E. and Newnan Crossing Shell at 1175 Highway 34 E. were also targeted by police Thursday, and more arrests are pending. Names of those suspects were not available Thursday evening.

Newnan Police Chief Douglas L. "Buster" Meadows said these latest raids -- the third set since May -- are part of an ongoing effort by authorities to crack down on criminal activity. "We plan to be tough on crime," he said. "The path of least resistance is obeying the law the way it's written."