The Brief
- The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Gaming Control Commission shut down an illegal gambling operation, seizing 66 slot machines and cash after a months-long investigation, according to SCSO.
- Two suspects, Mohamed Belyaqout, 52, and Mabielka Cumbrera, 45, were arrested on consecutive days and charged with operating a gambling house and possessing slot machines.
- Deputies say the business had previously been warned with a cease-and-desist order, and efforts to crack down on illegal gambling will continue.
SOUTH GATE RIDGE, Fla. – The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Gaming Control Commission cracked down on an illegal gambling operation last week, arresting two people and seizing 66 slot machines from a local business, according to SCSO.
The backstory:
During a monthslong investigation, deputies searched the Spin 24/7 business located at 5709 S. Beneva Rd., recovering 66 slot machines and cash. Deputies had previously issued a cease-and-desist order to the business in April 2025, SCSO said.…