SALISBURY — The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office shut down two illegal gambling locations after they recently reopened, according to a release from the department.

In March of 2023, the sheriff’s office sent out letters to every known fish arcade in the county instructing them to shut down their operations. A few of those arcades shut down for a few months before covertly reopening, according to the post.

‘’Failure to cease and desist by the listed date and time below (immediately) will result in ongoing criminal investigations and potential criminal charges for owners and employees,” the letter read, according to previous Salisbury Post reporting.

On Wednesday, deputies executed search warrants that were the result of a months-long investigation by detectives with the Special Investigations Unit, according to a release from the sheriff’s office.

“Many of these locations have been a hotbed of criminal activity, including armed and unarmed robberies, shootings and assaults. Many of these crimes go unreported as patrons and business owners do not want to be on the wrong end of legal troubles associated with illegal gambling. The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office will continue to make shutting down these establishments a priority, as they are one of the top complaints we receive from our citizens. Any businesses that are operating outside of North Carolina law in Rowan County have just been put on notice,” said Sheriff Travis Allen in the release.

One of those operations was the Shark Tank Fish Hut Arcade, located at 2164 Statesville Boulevard. The other was VIP2, located at 3425 N.C. Highway 801.

“We sent letters last year and you closed for a little while. Well, no more letters. Search warrants and box trucks this time around,” said the Facebook post.

The sheriff’s office confiscated illegal gambling machines in both locations, according to police reports. The post stated that over $60,000 worth of equipment was confiscated.

Items reportedly seized were three semi-automatic pistols, $67,670 in currency, 116 computers, 116 computer monitors, 15 stand-up gambling devices, six fish game tables, two money counters and miscellaneous paperwork.

Charges stemming from the investigation and the search warrants are pending. According to the release, the sheriff’s office plans to contact the owner of the properties and discuss the legality of the businesses they are renting the spaces to.

“The remaining gambling businesses will be issued a cease-and-desist letter, giving them a very short time to remove all machines from their businesses. Noncompliance will result in similar investigations that could end in property seizure and criminal charges,” stated the release.