According to Sheriff Ted Paxton, both investigations began after anonymous tips came in.
At Quick Stop Convenience Store at 2383 Canton Highway, authorities made three arrests and seized $6500 in cash. Authorities allege the people playing video gaming machines were getting cash payouts.
All three suspects are charged with one count each of commercial gambling. Authorities identified them as Srinivas Varaganti, 44, of Cumming, assistant store manager Prakashbhai Patel, 51, of Atlanta and Maria De Leon, 38, of Aaron Sosebee Road, Cumming.
Paxton said the second site was the Country Corner Shell Station at 601 Dahlonega Street where three arrests were made. Deputies were unable to search that business because of a fire and its closure, prior to a search warrant.
During a month-long undercover investigation, investigators said on three separate occasions an informant was paid out in cash, alcohol and lottery tickets from proceeds won on video poker machines.
The suspects were identified as the owner of the business, Allauddin Panjwani, 57, of Lawrenceville, and his son, the manager, Javed Panjwani, 32, of Havenstone Walk, Lawrenceville. They each are charged with one count of commercial gambling.
According to authorities, the five have been released from the Forsyth County Detention Center and are scheduled to appear in court May 30.
The sixth suspect, a clerk at the Country Corner Shell was charged with two counts of commercial gambling in addition to having two outstanding warrants. They are failure to appear on a DUI charge in 2007 and a probation violation in 2008.
Manuel Ramirez, 26, of Cumming remained in jail.
The sheriff's department released the case information Tuesday afternoon.
Javed Panjwani
Manuel Ramirez
Maria DeLeon
Srinivas Varganti
Prakasbhai Patel
Allauddin Panjwani
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