SARASOTA, Fla. – A months-long investigation into illegal gambling in Sarasota County culminated this week in the arrest of two individuals and the total shutdown of a local business.
On March 26, 2026, deputies with the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) descended on “Spin 24/7,” a storefront located at 5709 S. Beneva Road, to execute a search warrant.
The operation, which involved the SCSO Intelligence Unit, Tactical Unit, and Special Investigations Section, resulted in the seizure of 66 slot machines and an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency.
According to investigators, the business had previously been warned to cease operations via an official letter sent by the Sheriff’s Office back in April 2025.
Following the raid, 52-year-old Mohamed Belyaqout was taken into custody at the business location. The following day, March 27, 2026, authorities arrested 45-year-old Mabielka C. Cumbrera at her residence in Sarasota.
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Both individuals face charges of Keeping and Maintaining a Gambling House and Possession of Slot Machines.
The investigation was conducted in partnership with the Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC). Both Belyaqout and Cumbrera were transported to the Sarasota County Correctional Facility for booking.
Reflecting on the joint effort, Sheriff Hoffman emphasized that the crackdown on such establishments remains a priority for local law enforcement.
“We will continue our partnership with FGCC holding these illegal gambling establishments accountable and shutting them down,” Hoffman stated. While two arrests have been made, officials confirmed that the broader investigation into illegal gambling operations within the county is still active
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