DELRAY BEACH, Fla. -- Two men were arrested and charged with operating illegal gambling machines in the back room of a retail store in Delray Beach.
On Thursday, August 18, 2016 at approximately 7:00 PM, agents from the Delray Beach Police Department's Vice, Intelligence and Narcotics Unit executed a warrant at the retail store "All for 99 cents" at 1545 South Congress Avenue in Delray Beach.
Officers observed workers at the front registers where customers would pay for their legal store bought items.
In the rear of the store, officers found a room with 3 illegal gambling machines and another room containing numerous papers, Bolita tickets and a computer.
While looking to open a bolt lock on the second room, officers determined that Wisler Destin had a set of keys.
Upon further search of the second room, officers located a bundle of $980 cash concealed inside a shredder full of shredded paper.
Destin was read his Miranda Warnings by an officer in Creole, which he stated he fully understood.
Destin told police he was hired by Jitin Tejani to work inside the Bolita Room and that he makes $400 a week and works 6 days a week. Destin said he gives the Bolita money to a Hispanic male when he comes to pick up the money or gives it to Tejani to give to the Hispanic male.
Tejani was brought to the Delray Beach Police Department, read his Miranda Warnings and stated the following. Tejani told police he received 50% of the profits from the 3 gaming machines in the rear of the store.
According to DBPD, Tejani said he realized they were running an illegal Bolita gambling operation in the rear room around the end of June.
Tejani stated that the Haitian man they arrested (Wisler Destin) was the one running the Bolita operation.
DBPD says officers asked Tejani why he didn't contact police and he did not have an answer.
Tejani told police the gaming machines were for entertainment purposes only, but then stated that players won "gift certificates" to spend in the store.
Tejani was charged with keeping a gambling house.
Destin was charged with being an agent or employee of an illegal gambling house.