By GAYLA CAWLEY
LYNN — A Lynn couple was arrested on gambling and firearm-related charges Sunday.
Francisco Tavarez, 42, and his girlfriend and business partner Carmen Collazo, 40 were charged with taking, allowing, or being present at betting and possession of a firearm and ammo without a firearm identification card by the Lynn Police Special Investigations Unit (SIU).
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The unit executed two search warrants around 4 p.m. Police first went to search 86 Lewis St., the location of a business, Arcona Multiservice, said Lynn Police Lt. Rick Donnelly.
When they entered the facility, police found Tavarez, Collazo and several other people. Detectives could see betting sheets on the counter and a computer screen displaying a betting website, Donnelly said.
Police searched the business and found a 9mm handgun, betting notes and slips, three receipt printers, cell phones, notebooks with gaming notes and $2,685 cash. Neither Tavarez nor Collazo had a license for the handgun, which was loaded, Donnelly said.
Officers also had a search warrant for 498 Essex St., Apartment 121, where the couple live.
In the bedroom belonging to the two defendants, police found seven boxes of .22 caliber ammunition, a .25 caliber loaded handgun, more betting sheets and notebooks with various gambling notes, a clipboard and $1,706 in cash, Donnelly said.
There were no other arrests. Donnelly said there were other people present at the Lewis Street business, but the targets of the search warrant and business enterprise were the two defendants.
Gayla Cawley can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @GaylaCawley