A Korean billiard hall owner near Atlanta, Georgia, has been arrested on charges of running an illegal gambling operation.
During a raid, police seized drugs and cash from the billiard hall, which had been used as an illegal casino.
The Gwinnett County Police Department announced that on June 18, they arrested Steven Kim (66), the owner of “Sosa’s Billiards” in Norcross, on charges of operating an illegal gambling den. In addition to Kim, nine individuals, including gambling hall employee Seth Abernathy (40), were apprehended at the scene on charges of illegal gambling.
Gwinnett County Police’s Cpl. Juan Madiedo stated that the investigation began last year following tips, and the raid was conducted on June 18. “There were a couple of guns seized, there were some drugs that were seized, and cash was also seized,” said Madiedo.
The investigation was triggered by a routine traffic stop. Police had pulled over a vehicle for a traffic violation near Norcross Tucker Road. The driver told the officers he was “coming from the casino,” which initiated the investigation.
Undercover officers then visited Sosa’s Billiards and confirmed the illegal gambling activities.
Madiedo added that undercover agents monitored the billiard hall and its surroundings, confirming the illegal gambling activities, which led to the raid. The investigation is ongoing, and more arrests may follow as additional instances of illegal gambling involvement come to light.
BY YEOL JANG, YOUNGNAM KIM [jang.yeol@koreadaily.com]
