Several residents from the Houston area face charges of conspiracy, operating illegal game rooms, bribery, and money laundering, representing one of the largest law enforcement operations in the Southern District of Texas. The announcement came from U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. Sixteen individuals have been indicted, and authorities also arrested 31 others on immigration and firearms charges during the operation on April 2. Among those detained, one allegedly assaulted a law enforcement officer.
The indictment, filed on March 26 and unsealed after the arrests, delineates an alleged scheme involving Nizar Ali, 61, from Richmond, among others, to operate illegal game rooms and disguise the proceeds from these operations, which amount to over $22 million.
More than 700 officers from 18 different agencies executed 45 search warrants and 40 seizure warrants across Houston and neighboring areas, targeting 30 illegal game rooms with names like El Portal and Yellow Building. The operation resulted in discoveries of over $4.5 million in cash, approximately $6.5 million from financial institutions, $5 million in property and vehicles, 2000 slot machines, 100 Rolex watches, and eight firearms.
Other individuals detained include Naeem Ali, Amer Khan, Ishan Dhuka, Sahil Karovalia, Sarfarez Maredia, Shoaib Maredia, Yolanda Figueroa, Viviana Alvarado, Anabel Eloisa Guevarra, Precela Solis, Maria Delarosa, Claudia Calderon, and Lucia Hernandez. Two additional suspects, Sayed Ali and Stephanie Huerta, remain at large.
Charges against the accused include conspiracy, operating an illegal gambling business, and interstate travel in aid of racketeering, each carrying potential five-year prison sentences. Furthermore, conspiracy to commit money laundering holds a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
Nizar Ali faces 32 federal program bribery charges for allegedly offering more than $500,000 to an undercover officer to shield the illegal game rooms from law enforcement. Conviction on these charges could add up to 10 years in prison per count.
The money laundering charge could result in a $500,000 fine or twice the value involved, while the other charges carry a maximum fine of $250,000 each. Leading the investigation were ICE-HSI and IRS-CI, with support from the Houston Police Department, FBI, and several local and federal agencies.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys S. Mark McIntyre, John Marck, and Carolyn Ferko lead the prosecution, while Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brandon Fyffe and Tyler Foster manage asset seizure and forfeiture.
An indictment serves as an allegation and not proof of guilt. The accused remain innocent unless proven guilty through legal proceedings.