Authorities arrested 15 people on a variety of drug and gambling charges following a raid at a popular bar in northwest Miami-Dade.
The raid, dubbed "Operation All In," was carried out Thursday night at the Our Place Lounge at 6844 Northwest 169th Street following a four and a half month undercover operation, authorities said.
Owner Tracy Leanne Gelb and 14 others are facing charges including racketeering, conspiracy, gambling, dealing in stolen property, narcotics distribution and possession of untaxed liquor, authorities said.
Authorities seized $13,200 in cash, 2 handguns, 45 grams of cocaine, 5 grams of marijuana and 7 grams of Mollys in the raid. The Florida division of the Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Law Enforcement Bureau also seized the bar's liquor license, shutting it down, authorities said.
"I know nothing. I know nothing," said the shopping center's owner, Young Choi.
The property manager, Gaby Haber, told NBC 6 that she was as surprised as everyone else.
"We did have a previous owner where we did have issues like that," Haber said. "The new owner cleaned up tohse issues. This is alarming to me."
Still, others in the area said they aren't shocked by the day's raid.
"Hey man, everything happens around here all the time," said Ariel, who didn't give a last name. "We are in Miami.
Miami-Dade Police, Opa-locka Police, the Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Law Enforcement Bureau, the DEA and the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office all participated in the investigation that involved 24 undercover incident, authorities said.
The investigation began after police received numerous complaints of drug dealing and gambling at the bar. Authorities said Gelb employed three people to control the gambling operation and another three to serve drinks.
Gelb also allowed six individuals to serve drugs to patrons of the gambling enterprise, authorities said.
Gelb was being held on $225,000 bond Friday, and it was unknown whether she has an attorney.
Our Place Lounge was named the best bar in North Miami in 2013 by the Miami New Times.
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Forfeiture proceedings of the bar are pending, authorities said.
