Seven illegal gambling machines found in Norwalk liquor store

NORWALK, CT (WFSB) – Seven illegal gaming machines were found at a Norwalk liquor store Wednesday after a police search.

According to police, officers searched Cocchia’s Liquor Store at 23 Ely Avenue after receiving information that a man named “Felix” was selling large quantities of powder cocaine at the store.

An investigation was initiated and it was determined that “Felix,” identified as Felix Galindo-Castillo, had a valid federal arrest warrant for illegally reentering the United States.

It also turned out that he was the founder of a violent Mexican street gang called “Los Vagos”.

During the search of the store, officers found seven full-size illegal gaming machines operating at two different locations in the store. The machines pay out cash collected at the register by issuing a receipt from the machine.

Police seized several bags of powder cocaine, two replica handguns, $4,932 from the slot machines, as well as receipts and the internal control servers of all machines.

Galindo-Castillo and a store employee, Jose Gerado Fuentes-Lima, were arrested at the scene.

Galinda-Castillo is charged with sale of narcotics, conspiracy to sell narcotics, possession of narcotics, and conspiracy to possess narcotics. He is also charged as a fugitive citizen on a federal warrant for illegally entering the United States.

Fuentes-Lima is charged with possession of a controlled substance, conspiracy to possess a controlled substance, illegal gambling, sale of a controlled substance and conspiracy to sell a controlled substance.

This is the second time in a year that arrests have been made at this location for drug and gambling violations.

In addition, many police operations were carried out at this location.

In September 2022, officials from Norwalk and the State Liquor Control Board conducted an inspection of the premises, resulting in the seizure of slot machines, receipts, cash and cocaine.

The Department of Consumer Protection signed a summary suspension of the liquor store permit and lottery sales license for this location on Friday.

“It is clear that this establishment poses a threat to public health and safety,” said DCP Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli. “In addition to this action today, our team will be investigating all other establishments associated with the owner of Cocchia’s to ensure there is no further risk to the community. Thank you to the Norwalk Police Department for their cooperation in this action.”

In addition, police investigations are ongoing.

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