Continuing with their initiative to eradicate illegally operated game rooms, Detectives with the Corpus Christi Police Department’s Narcotics and Vice Investigations Division (NVID) took down yet another illicit gambling operation Wednesday afternoon on the city’s south side. At approximately 4:00 pm yesterday, NVID Detectives served a search warrant at the Silver Sevens Game room located on the 5200 block of Everhart Road. The search warrant was the conclusion of a weeks-long investigation into the business that uncovered evidence of illegal gambling. During the search, Detectives found and seized fifty-three pieces of gambling equipment and over $15,000 in cash. Anissa Najera, age 26, was arrested and charged with gambling promotion, keeping a gambling place, and possession of a gambling device. All three charges are Class A misdemeanors, punishable by up to a year in jail and a fine up to $4,000. Four adult patrons inside the game room were cited for gambling, a class C misdemeanor. The investigation continues, and additional charges and arrests are possible.

Wednesday’s search warrant was the second search warrant served just this week on illegal game rooms, neither of which possessed a valid Nueces County Game Room permit. NVID will continue to target these illegal gambling operations until they cease operating within our city limits. The Corpus Christi Police Department reminds citizens that game rooms which pay out cash rewards are engaging in illegal gambling. Patrons as well as the management of these establishments may face criminal charges.

NVID Detectives were assisted in the operation by officers with the CCPD Traffic Unit, as well as investigators with the State of Texas Comptroller’s Office, which regulates coin operated machines.

The Corpus Christi Police Department continues to collaborate with our local state and federal partners to investigate and combat illegal gambling. Investigators will continue to enforce all Texas gambling laws, which will help accomplish our mission to reduce crime, reduce the fear of crime and to improve the quality of life in our community.