A four month long, multi-agency investigation involving the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board and the Anchorage Police Department has culminated in the shutting down of an illegal night club serving alcohol without a license and two licensed restaurants either serving alcohol illegally after hours or providing entertainment after hours.

In December of 2011, ABC investigators received information about a local strip club, the Showboat Show Club, located at 446 Unga Street, having illegal after hour’s parties and serving alcohol without a license. The Showboat is an 18 and over strip club. Covert investigators were able to make entry into the club whereupon they were able to verify the illegal activity. On 4-7-12, an 18 member task force team comprised of both agencies made entry into the Showboat Show Club and served a search warrant which resulted in the seizure of alcohol, narcotics, documents and electronic equipment. Suspects who participated in the illegal operations were identified and the investigation continues.

In February of 2012, ABC investigators received information about a local restaurant serving alcohol after hours without being licensed to do so. Further investigation revealed the ABC licensed establishment, the Three Amigo’s Mexican Restaurant located at 360 Boniface Parkway, was allowing persons to enter the restaurant to consume alcohol after hours; specifically, after local Municipality of an Anchorage laws prevented them from doing so.

ABC investigators and the APD CAP team worked the case together and on 3-17-12, 14 members of both agencies served a search warrant at Three Amigos. Suspects were identified and charged with various violations including licensee selling alcohol after hours, licensee allowing illegal drug activity, restaurant or eating place providing illegal entertainment, and employees not possessing alcohol server education cards. Additional Municipality of Anchorage charges are pending.

While investigating the Three Amigo’s Mexican Restaurant allegations, investigators discovered that another ABC licensed restaurant, Tropical Latin Foods located at 341 Boniface Parkway, was allowing entertainment after 11:00 pm and permitting illegal drug activity on their premises, which is a violation of their liquor license. All three of these establishments were found to have illegal drug use and suspected gang activity, which along with the unlawful serving of alcohol, made their licensed establishments centers for illegal activity in Anchorage. The investigation also revealed as soon as one establishment was shut down by law enforcement, customers would patronize one of the other establishments and continue their illegal activities.

The Anchorage Police Department and the ABC Board continue to serve the residents of Anchorage and Alaska and wishes to thank those persons for providing valuable information into revealing the illegal night clubs and their actions. If anyone has additional information regarding these investigations and or other activities, please contact the ABC board at 907-269-0350 or the Anchorage Police Department CrimeStoppers at 907-561-STOP (7867).

Note: A criminal charge is merely an accusation of criminal wrongdoing. All persons charged with crimes are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty by a court of law.

Source: Anchorage Police Department