Several individuals from the Houston area have been charged for their involvement in a multi-million-dollar illegal gambling operation. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas announced Thursday that Nizar Ali, 61, from Richmond, and several others conspired to operate illegal game rooms and launder more than $22 million in gambling proceeds.
Authorities executed an extensive law enforcement operation, with 700 officers from 18 agencies serving 45 search warrants and 40 seizure warrants across 30 illegal game rooms, including two locations known as El Portal and Yellow Building. The operation resulted in significant seizures, including $4.5 million in cash, $5 million in property and vehicles, 2,000 slot machines, 100 Rolex watches, eight firearms, and $6.5 million from financial institutions.
The individuals arrested as part of the operation include Naeem Ali, 33, and Amer Khan, 68, both of Richmond; Ishan Dhuka, 33, and Sahil Karovalia, 32, both of Rosenberg; Sarfarez Maredia, 38, and Shoaib Maredia, 40, both of Sugar Land; and several others from Houston, Pasadena, and LaPorte, including Yolanda Figueroa, 40, Viviana Alvarado, 45, Anabel Eloisa Guevarra, 46, Precela Solis, 27, Maria Delarosa, 53, Claudia Calderon, 37, and Lucia Hernandez, 34.
Two suspects, Sayed Ali and Stephanie Huerta, remain fugitives. All of the arrested individuals face charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, as well as up to five years for racketeering-related offenses. Fines range from $250,000 to $500,000 or twice the amount of laundered funds.
An indictment is a formal accusation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
