HOMER — Three people have been charged following a lengthy investigation into illegal gambling at a Lula store.
About 1 p.m. Friday, Banks County deputies served a search warrant at The Country Store, 2448 Hwy. 51 S., Lula, where investigators seized four lottery gambling machines and more than $16,000, according to Sheriff's Lt. Carissa McFaddin.
McFaddin provided some background on the investigation.
"Banks County investigators began to receive complaints regarding illegal gambling taking place within the business," McFaddin said. "These complaints led to an extensive investigation which ultimately brought about multiple charges against the three people accused."
Monday afternoon, three individuals surrendered themselves to the Banks County Detention Center on the following warrants:
♦ Pinal Manilal Patel, 36, of Lawrenceville, one count each of keeping a gambling place of business and commercial gambling;
♦ Cannon Morgan Patel, 32, of Commerce, one count each of keeping a gambling place of business and commercial gambling; and
♦ Purva Kumar Patel, 28, of Commerce, three counts each of keeping a gambling place of business and commercial gambling.
"The business is licensed to possess the coin-operated gaming machines, but during the investigation it was found that winners were being paid out in cash rather than through lottery tickets or store credit," McFaddin said.
