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3 cars, over $17K, 10 machines seized in unrelated Macomb County illegal gambling busts; 4 arrested

4 facing charges

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MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. – Four people are accused of conducting unrelated illegal gambling operations in Macomb County, police said.

Last week, the Sheriff’s Enforcement Team (SET) executed search warrants at businesses and homes in connection with the investigation.

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Search warrants executed on Monday, Aug. 11

On Monday, Aug. 11, police searched the following locations:

  • Floral Cafe located at 16796 21 Mile Road in Macomb Township
  • Residence in the 43900 block of Elm Drive in Sterling Heights
  • Residence in the 18500 block of Valleybrook Lane in Clinton Township

Five gambling machines, $5,122 in cash and a car were seized.

Mirela Deda, 53, of Sterling Heights, and Alban Hulaj, 33, of Clinton Township, were taken into custody without incident.

Deda was charged with the following:

  • Gambling Operations – Felony Violations, a 10-year felony
  • Conspiracy – Gambling, a five-year felony
  • Gambling House – Permitting for Gain, a high misdemeanor

She was issued a $10,000 personal bond.

Hulaj was charged with the following:

  • Gambling Operations – Felony Violations, a 10-year felony
  • Conspiracy – Gambling, a five-year felony

He was also issued a $10,000 personal bond.

Search warrants executed on Tuesday, Aug. 12

Two other suspects were also arrested for alleged illegal gambling operations on Tuesday, Aug. 12.

The following locations were searched on Tuesday:

  • Kelmendi Cafe located at 46712 Hayes Road in Macomb Township
  • Residence in 13800 block of 29 Mile Road in Washington Township

During this investigation, five gambling machines, $12,038 in cash and two cars were seized.

Alban Preka, 43, of Washington Township, and Trifon Mone, 57, of Sterling Heights, were arrested.

Preka is facing the following charges:

  • Gambling Operations – Felony Violations, a 10-year felony
  • Conspiracy – Gambling, a five-year felony
  • Gambling House – Maintaining for Gain, a high misdemeanor
  • Gambling Apparatus – Permitting on Premises, a one-year misdemeanor

Mone was charged with the following:

  • Gambling Operations – Felony Violations, a 10-year felony
  • Conspiracy – Gambling, a five-year felony
  • Gambling House – Maintaining for Gain, a high misdemeanor
  • Gambling Apparatus – Permitting on Premises, a one-year misdemeanor

They were both issued $10,000 personal bonds.


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