The city of Greensboro took action to shut down the much troubled Phongsavanh Oriental Market on Friday, one day after police executed a second search warrant that resulted in gambling and drug charges against employees there.
The city issued a statement just after 5 pm Friday announcing that the market’s privilege license had been revoked. The move means the business can no longer operate and must close immediately. The revocation can be appealed to the Board of Adjustment, which next meets at the end of May. City staff used the existence of zoning violations related to the gambling and drug activity as justification for the license revocation.
Police arrested a couple that manages the market on Thursday. Siphonexay Phongsavanh, 45, and his wife, Sengnalone Phongsavanh, 41, of 2505 Rowe St. were charged with illegal sports betting and a series of drug charges. Police seized property and narcotics during yesterday’s warrant service.
Greensboro police raided the market previously on March 6. At that time, the owner of the market was arrested as was Sengnalone Phongsavanh. Both were charged with trafficking methamphetamine.
Tag Archives: Phongsavanh Oriental Market
Police: Meth market busted yet again
Breaking news via police spokesperson:
Two people are in custody following a search warrant executed at Phongsavanh Oriental Market, an establishment that has been under scrutiny for more than a month following allegations of criminal activity.
Police arrived at the establishment located at 1810 Coliseum Boulevard shortly before 1 p.m. and began executing the search warrant after having established probable cause that illegal gambling may be occurring there. Officers from the Southern Division established the probable cause through covert and overt methods, including surveillance of the business.
As a result of the warrant, officers gathered sufficient evidence to arrest Siphonexay Phongsavanh, 45, and his wife, Sengnalone Phongsavanh, 41, of 2505 Rowe Street. The couple, who manages the market, each face charges of Illegal Sports Betting, Maintaining a Dwelling for Schedule I and Schedule VI Narcotics, Felony Conspiracy, Possession of Schedule I Narcotics, Possession Schedule VI Narcotics, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
“The issues with this business are certainly ones that have our attention and we are working hard to resolve,” says Interim City Attorney Tom Carruthers. “We are pursuing legal options to seek immediate closure of the market.”
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Activist Ben Holder has been tracking this story in depth.
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