Dover – A 48-year-old New York man, accused of smuggling more than 530 cartons of cigarettes through Delaware, was charged following a traffic stop in New Castle.

Ahmed M. Ubuzeid of Bronx, NY was traveling on I-295 in New Castle when his vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation by Delaware State Police (DSP). During the stop, it was discovered that the vehicle contained 530 cartons of untaxed cigarettes with an approximate street value of $63,000.

Delaware Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement (DATE) Agents assisted DSP with the arrest charging Ubuzeid with Possession of Untaxed Cigarettes and Attempting to Evade Delaware Excise Tax. Ubuzeid was subsequently incarcerated in Harold Young Correctional Institution on $53,100 cash bail.

A 39-year-old Wilmington man, accused of illegally selling alcohol, was arrested following a raid at a Wilmington nightclub.

The Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement began its investigation after receiving information that the Caribbean Delight Restaurant located at 1030 South Market Street in Wilmington was operating an after-hours nightclub known as Club Vibes.  Neither the Caribbean Delight or Club Vibes is licensed by the State of Delaware to sell alcoholic beverages.

During an undercover operation, a DATE officer went into the nightclub and purchased an alcoholic beverage at a fully stocked bar.  On August 31, DATE agents with the assistance of the Delaware State Police and Wilmington Police Department executed a search warrant at the Caribbean Delight.  DATE agents seized a large amount of alcoholic beverages along with $7,458 in cash.

DATE agents arrested Gairy E. Brown, 39, of Wilmington and charged him with Selling Alcohol Without a License and Illegal Storage of Alcohol.  Brown was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court #11 and later released.

A 56-year-old Pennsylvania man accused of running an illegal gambling operation at a Wilmington establishment was arrested following an undercover investigation.

The Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement (DATE) launched its investigation after receiving a complaint of illegal gambling at Cheney’s I on the Pike located on Newport Gap Pike. During the investigation, DATE Agents identified four electronic gambling machines that were ready for play. The undercover agents placed money into these machines and won multiple credits which were later exchanged for cash. On August 23, DATE Agents raided the business seizing the four gambling machines and $2,181 in cash.

Gary Nattress, the owner, was arrested and charged with advanced gambling 2nd degree, possession of a gambling device, and providing a premises for gambling. He was arraigned at J.P. Court #10 and released on an unsecured bond.