Governor Riley’s task force on illegal gambling initiated a raid on Greenetrack this morning, sending more than 30 State Troopers down Highway 80 and Cedar Street in Demopolis en route to the Greene County Bingo Hall.

The raid began with a number of representatives from the Department of Public Safety and the Alcohol Beverage Control Board.

According to the governor’s office, the task force took control of all the machines in the facility to inspect and inventory them. The machines are expected to be moved to a different facility eventually.

On Monday, the Alabama Supreme Court vacated the orders of Circuit Court Judge Eddie Hardaway, Jr. Hardaway had entered an order June 18 to prevent task force representatives from carry out inspections on the Greenetrack machines.

The Task Force took control of all the machines at the facility and immediately began to inspect and inventory them. The machines may be removed to a secure facility in coming days.

“Today’s actions are being undertaken by the Task Force in pursuit of the forfeiture proceedings begun by the Greene County District Attorney and the orders of the Governor,” said Task Force Commander John Tyson, Jr. “Whenever a forfeiture action is initiated, the State has to have control over the machines at issue. All we did today was to complete what the local District Attorney and former Sheriff started in early June.

“The Governor directed me to assume representation of the State in the case to ensure that the State’s arguments are presented fully and quickly,” said Tyson. Tyson was not at Greenetrack on Tuesday morning.

The Task Force’s actions this morning were led by Col. Christopher J. Murphy, Director of the Department of Public Safety. “The Task Force actions taken this morning involved 10 uniformed state troopers,” said Col. Murphy. “All of our actions are consistent with Judge Hardaway’s order and those of the Alabama Supreme Court.”

Check www.demopolistimes.com throughout the day for more details.