Nassau police confiscate illicit substances and gambling machines in Elmont

Nassau police arrested three men in Elmont for alleged criminal possession of a controlled substance, possession of illegal gambling machines and previous warrants on Aug. 3.

Police found and confiscated 143 cannabinoid products at Gas Pack Snack Box on Hempstead Turnpike. Three illegal gambling machines were confiscated and multiple illegal apartments were discovered at SMB Grocery also on Hempstead Turnpike.

The investigation was part of the Quality of Life initiative conducted by police with the Town of Hempstead’s Building Code Enforcement and the county’s fire marshal’s office.

Mohsin Y. Ali, 25, of 148^thStreet, Jamaica; Alex Bonilla, 40, of Evans Avenue, Elmont; and Frank Cipolla, 34, of South Street, Elmont were arrested.

Cipolla was charged with criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a controlled substance, and was charged on two previous warrants for petit larceny and criminal possession of a controlled substance. Ali was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance. Bonilla was charged with possession of three gambling devices.

Ali and Cipolla will be arraigned Aug. 4 in First District Court in Hempstead. Bonilla was issued an appearance ticket and is due back in court Aug. 24.