Illegal gambling equipment found in Hoschton gas station

HOSCHTON - A search of a Hoschton gas station by the Jackson County Sheriff's Office yesterday resulted in the seizure of illegal gambling equipment.

"It was an ongoing investigation that resulted in the search warrant at the store," said Jackson County Sheriff Janis Mangum.

Authorities seized four machines, a ticket printer, an undisclosed amount of cash and numerous packages of synthetic marijuana from the gas station.

Criminal arrest warrants are pending for Malik Babwani of Lawrenceville for commercial gambling and other related charges. Babwani owned the store, according to Mangum.

Babwani was not in the store at the time of the search and seizure. His charges are pending and he has not yet been arrested.