{"id":327594,"date":"2024-08-10T15:37:12","date_gmt":"2024-08-10T20:37:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/?p=327594"},"modified":"2024-08-10T15:37:12","modified_gmt":"2024-08-10T20:37:12","slug":"connecticut-gambling-raid-leads-to-seizure-of-seven-gaming-machines-5k","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/connecticut-gambling-raid-leads-to-seizure-of-seven-gaming-machines-5k\/","title":{"rendered":"Connecticut Gambling Raid Leads to Seizure of Seven Gaming Machines, $5K"},"content":{"rendered":"

A Norwalk, Conn. liquor store was shuttered Friday after authorities found seven illicit gambling machines, two fake guns, and $4,932\u00a0 in cash at the business.<\/p>\n

\"Jose
Jose Gerardo Fuentes-Lima and Felix Galindo-Castillo, pictured above. Norwalk, Conn. police arrested them following gambling and drug raids. (Image: Norwalk police)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

An unspecified quantity of cocaine also was found in bags stored in a walk-in beer cooler at Cocchia\u2019s Liquor Store on Ely Avenue, according to the Connecticut<\/a> Department of Consumer Protection (DCP). In addition, officials discovered gambling receipts in the business.<\/p>\n

The gambling machines pay out cash collected at the front counter by providing a receipt ticket from the gambling device, and are illegal,” according to a statement from the Norwalk Police Department.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

DCP Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli suspended the store\u2019s alcohol sales license and lottery ticket sales license.<\/p>\n

Norwalk police raided<\/a> the business on Wednesday after getting a search warrant.<\/p>\n

It is clear this establishment is a danger to public health and safety,\u201d Cafferelli said in a statement. \u201cIn addition to this action today, our team will be investigating all other establishments associated with the ownership of Cocchia\u2019s to ensure there is no further risk to the community.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The investigation began after Norwalk police got a tip from an informant that a person identified as \u201cFelix\u201d was selling cocaine<\/a> out of the liquor store, according to police.<\/p>\n

Undercover officers were able to purchase illegal drugs at the business. Police identified the suspect as Felix Galindo-Castillo, 48, of Norwalk, also known as \u201cCocchie,\u201d authorities said.<\/p>\n

Mexican Gang Founder<\/h2>\n

It turns out he\u2019s the founder of \u201cLos Vagos,\u201d a gang based in Mexico<\/a>, police said. The gang<\/a> is linked to violent street activities, police revealed.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Galindo-Castillo was arrested for sale of narcotics, conspiracy to commit the sale of narcotics, possession of narcotics, and conspiracy to commit possession of narcotics.<\/p>\n

He had suspected cocaine in his possession when he was apprehended.<\/p>\n

He also has a pending federal arrest warrant for illegal re-entry<\/a> into the US, authorities said. As a result of the warrant, he was charged with being a fugitive from justice. Bail was set at $1M.<\/strong><\/p>\n

An employee, Jose Gerardo Fuentes-Lima, 44, of Norwalk, was also found to be in possession of cocaine, according to police. He was charged with possession of a controlled substance, conspiracy to commit possession of a controlled substance, illegal gambling, sale of a narcotic substance, and conspiracy to commit the sale of a narcotic substance. His bail was set at $55K.<\/p>\n

Prior Search<\/h2>\n

In September 2022, Norwalk police officers and state liquor control agents confiscated gambling machines, gambling receipts, an unspecified amount of cash, and suspected cocaine during a prior raid of the same business. The outcome of that case is unknown.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A Norwalk, Conn. liquor store was shuttered Friday after authorities found seven illicit gambling machines, two fake guns, and almost $5K in cash at the business.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":44,"featured_media":327597,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21,88702],"tags":[22,13766,82370,85488],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nConnecticut Gambling Raid Leads to Seven Gaming Machines<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A Norwalk, Conn. liquor store was shuttered Friday. 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