RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) – A three month investigation by Raleigh Police and state authorities has led to a series of drug and illegal gambling arrests.
The Raleigh Police Department (RPD) and the North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Division (ALE) concluded the joint investigation into illegal gambling, narcotics activity and weapons violations associated with the Golden 5 Sweepstakes Parlor, located at 3132 Calvary Drive.
The investigation began in June 2026 after an analysis of calls for service revealed more than 280 responses to the business between June 2025 and June 2026. Those calls included disturbances, assaults, drug violations, stabbings, robberies, weapons violations and assaults involving law enforcement officers.
RPD’s North Flex Unit and ALE worked together to investigate the illegal activity, with assistance from RPD’s Technical Assistance Response Unit.
On August 28, 2026, investigators executed three search warrants, one at the Golden 5 Sweepstakes Parlor and two at locations associated with the business. Investigators seized:
- $180,970 in U.S. currency
- Three illegally possessed firearms
- 29 motherboards from illegal video gambling machines
Five individuals were arrested and charged with a total of six felonies and 20 misdemeanors related to the investigation.
As part of the broader narcotics investigation surrounding the business, RPD’s North Flex Unit also made 17 physical arrests, resulting in 47 felony charges and eight misdemeanor charges, and recovered six illegally possessed firearms.
The investigation also determined that illegal video gambling was occurring at the business, with undercover operations documenting payouts from video poker machines.
As a result of the investigation and cooperation with the property owners, the Golden 5 Sweepstakes Parlor is no longer operating and is being evicted from the premises.
“This investigation demonstrates what can be accomplished when law enforcement agencies work together and remain focused on addressing the criminal activity that impacts our communities,” said Raleigh Police Chief Rico Boyce. “I commend the members of the Raleigh Police Department and the Alcohol Law Enforcement Division for their dedication and perseverance throughout this investigation. Their work has helped make this area of Raleigh safer for the community.”