Our Place Lounge closed after drug, gambling raid

Bar owner accused of using business as nesting ground for drug sales, gaming

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – The owner of a northwest Miami-Dade County bar is accused of using her business as a nesting ground for illegal drug sales and gambling.

Miami-Dade police and state prosecutors said Friday that Our Place Lounge owner Tracey Gelb was using the full liquor bar "to facilitate an illegal gambling enterprise."

Authorities said a four-month long investigation resulted in the arrests of 15 people. They also seized $13,200 in cash, two guns, 45 grams of cocaine, five grams of marijuana and seven grams of MDMA.

According to the arrest warrant, Gelb had employees controlling the gaming and supplying drugs to patrons.

"We smell, sometimes, the marijuana or we see the little packets that they drop on the floor," Jose Trinidad, who owns a neighboring restaurant, told Local 10's Glenna Milberg.

Property owner Young Choi said he had not renewed her lease because he had concerns after a shooting occurred there.

The victim of that shooting was Victor Grullon. He was 26 when he was shot at Our Place Lounge in November 2011.

Late last year Our Place Lounge made the New Times best bar list as a "cheap lovely hole in the wall."

State agents have closed the bar and seized its liquor license.

Gelb and the others face charges including racketeering, gambling, dealing in stolen property and narcotics distribution.

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Our Place Lounge owner Tracey Gelb is accused of running illegal gambling and drug sales at her northwest Miami-Dade County bar.


About the Author:

Glenna Milberg joined Local 10 News in September 1999 to report on South Florida's top stories and community issues. She also serves as co-host on Local 10's public affairs broadcast, "This Week in South Florida."