Columbus, OH — A coordinated law-enforcement sweep in Franklin County has resulted in the arrest of a Westerville man, along with the discovery of an alleged drug trafficking network tied to extensive cryptocurrency activity and an unlicensed gambling parlor.
Officials with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the suspect, Asaad Musa, was taken into custody after deputies executed multiple search warrants earlier this week.
Authorities say the dual operations were part of a long-running investigation into illicit financial activity, underground drug distribution, and illegal gaming businesses believed to be operating across parts of Columbus and nearby communities.
Arrest in Westerville Reveals Cash and Crypto Links
One team of deputies carried out a search warrant at a residence in Westerville, where officers located cash, electronic records, and what investigators describe as digital ledgers tied to large cryptocurrency transactions.
These findings, according to detectives, may map out a financial trail indicating how profits from suspected drug sales were being moved, laundered, or stored using crypto assets.
Officials have not yet disclosed the total amount of cash seized, nor the value of the cryptocurrency holdings connected to the case, but they emphasized that the digital records recovered were “substantial.”
Musa, the primary suspect, was immediately taken into custody at the scene. Investigators believe he played a central role in managing both the alleged drug distribution and the financial systems supporting it.
Simultaneous Raid Exposes Illegal Gambling Parlor
While deputies were arresting Musa in Westerville, a second group of officers executed another search warrant at a business on Morse Road, where they say they found a full-scale illegal gambling parlor.
Inside the establishment, investigators discovered multiple electronic gaming machines, additional cash, and several pieces of evidence believed to be linked to the broader investigation.
Officials say the parlor was owned by Musa, and they suspect the business may have been used to funnel money or serve as a front for other criminal activities.
The raid brought an abrupt end to the operation, which authorities described as “well-organized” and actively catering to a consistent stream of customers.
Investigation Still Active
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office has not released details on the specific charges Musa will face, but officials confirmed that both drug trafficking and illegal gambling activities remain central to the case.
Detectives are now analyzing the seized financial records, crypto data, and gaming equipment to understand how the alleged operations functioned and who else may have been involved.
Authorities say more arrests could follow as the investigation expands.
The Sheriff’s Office emphasized its ongoing commitment to tracking down operations that blend digital finance, narcotics distribution, and illegal gaming, calling the blend of crypto and street-level crime “a trend we cannot ignore.”
Anyone with additional information related to Musa or the raided business is encouraged to contact the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.
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