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Raid of Tampa bottle club nets nine arrests, seized drugs, alcohol and cash

 
Published March 22, 2015

TOWN 'N COUNTRY — Authorities raided a Hillsborough Avenue bottle club early Saturday, arresting nine and seizing drugs, alcohol and cash.

Acting on a search warrant, Hillsborough sheriff's deputies assisted by agents from five other agencies entered Glo Ultra Lounge, 8831 W Hillsborough Ave. around 4 a.m., according to the Sheriff's Office. The club allows patrons to bring in their own alcohol, but is prohibited from selling alcohol.

Carlos Guzman, 50, was arrested and charged with keeping and maintaining a place where alcohol is sold. Kira P. Ankney, 24, Jordan T. Hamilton, 25, and Lindsey H. Botts, 23, were charged with sale of alcohol with improper license.

Also arrested: Antoneo T. Bethea, 35, on a warrant for dealing in stolen property and providing false information to a pawn broker; Adenawer Gonzalez, 28, on a warrant for driving with a suspended or revoked license; Davonn A. Banks-Peacock, 37, on a charge of carrying a concealed weapon; Desiree M. Lindsey, 31, on a charge of cocaine possession; and Jimmy J. Velasquez, 29, on a charge of possession of cocaine with intent to sell.

Investigators seized "substantial amounts" of cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine along with $1,951 in cash, 70 bottles of illegal wine and liquor, 67 bottles of beer and one firearm from a vehicle, the Sheriff's Office said.

Assisting in the operation were the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverage and Tobacco, Florida Probation and Parole, Hillsborough County Fire Marshal's Office, the Florida State Department of Agriculture and Hillsborough County Code Enforcement.

Since June 2014, Glo Ultra Lounge and Thee Crazy Horse Club, a similar club next door, have collectively had more than 130 law enforcement calls for service due to drug and prostitution activity and violent crimes, including at least four separate shooting calls, one of them resulting in a homicide, according to the Sheriff's Office.