$500,000 Gambling Bust

Mobile police hit the jackpot Tuesday after a seven month undercover investigation netted a half million dollars in cash and property.
Officers raided seven bars and clubs from midtown Mobile to Bayou La Batre, confiscating 35 illegal gambling machines.
Papa Buddah's on South Broad Street was one of the busted bars.
"You don't make no money off any of those machines.," said the bar owner, who denied knowing the machines were illegal. "You gotta sell that whiskey," he said.
Gambling machines were also taken from American Legion Post 250, Office Lounge, Executive Lounge, Dugout Club, Le Bistro and Donna's Grocery, but Mobile Police Chief Philip Garrett says it's not the bar owners investigators were chasing.
"Somebody else was actually coming in and setting up the machines and profiting in a greater fashion," said Garrett, who credited an anonymous tip for launching the investigation.
"It's illegal in our state. We took that tip and went after it and obviously it appears to be a very profitable enterprise," Garrett said.
Arrested in connection with the gambling operation were Billy Charles Poole Sr., 68, and Chieko Barnes, 61, both of Mobile. Police arrested the pair at Poole's home in West Mobile. Poole and Barnes are both charged with Promoting Gambling and Possession of a Gambling Device, class A misdemeanors.
Officers confiscated more than $400,000 in cash, 24 guns, 5 vehicles, and Garrett says they also hope to sezie Poole's house.