Tip leads police to busting illegal gambling operation in West Point

WEST POINT — Police shut down an illegal gambling operation Monday, arresting two men who were allegedly running an unsanctioned casino with 14 machines.

Sgt. Marvin Hughes, a detective with the West Point Police Department, said officers received a tip Monday evening about a possible illegal gambling location at 424 Hwy. 45 Alt. N. Officers arrived on the scene and saw several different types of illegal gambling machines in plain view, he said.

At that point, Hughes said the criminal investigations division and the Mississippi Gaming Commission were called to the scene to conduct the investigation.

“It was determined that out of the 15 machines found, 14 were in operation to the standard that is considered illegal under the state of Mississippi, pursuant to illegal gambling machines,” Hughes told The Dispatch.

Mekter Ahmed, 24, and Sidi Mabate, 18, were arrested at the scene and charged with 14 counts each of operating illegal gambling machines, Hughes said. A brief interview had concluded the two men were the ones operating the machines when officers arrived on scene, he said.

The two men were basically running an unsanctioned casino, Hughes said.

“They’d have individuals come in, and they would play whatever type of slot machines they would have,” he said. “… It’s essentially like you’re playing at an actual casino, just illegal.”

Two of the illegal machines were taken into evidence while the rest were destroyed, Hughes said. State code requires appliances used for illegal gambling to be destroyed. There was also money seized at the scene, but he declined to specify an amount due to the ongoing investigation.

The operation in West Point may be a part of a larger network that the department is investigating alongside the Mississippi Gaming Commission, he said.

Ahmed and Mabate were taken to the Clay County Detention Center and each issued a $15,000 bond. Both men have since posted bail, Hughes said.

McRae is a general assignment and education reporter for The Dispatch.