People detained at South Toledo garage

Authorities today keep people in handcuffs on the property of a garage on Angola Street in South Toledo.

Federal and local law enforcement today raided a South Toledo auto-detailing business, detaining an undisclosed number of people from the two-story building.

Toledo Police, Gang Task Force officers, and FBI agents assigned to the Metro Drug Task Force entered Monster Garage Complete Automotive & Detailing, 5825 Angola Rd., near Holland-Sylvania Road, about 4:30 p.m.

Deputy Chief George Taylor said that some people found inside the business were detained while others were released.

At least eight were held for questioning.

The investigation’s focus was unreported Thursday night.

“We are not saying a lot at this time because we don’t want to gum up the works,” Chief Taylor said.

Dump trucks, cars, trucks, and other vehicles appeared to be stored in a fenced parking lot of the business.

Chief Taylor said search warrants were obtained in U.S. District Court and Toledo Municipal Court in advance of the raid.

He declined to give information on why the property was searched and reasons for the arrests.

A Swanton Township couple bought the 16,000-square-foot warehouse and a used car lot at 10 North Byrne Rd., in April for $750,000.

According to Lucas County auditor’s records, Dr. Sulaiman Abawi and his wife, Dr. Lailah Abawi purchased the properties from Zalmai and Shakiba Sedique, who were more than $8,000 delinquent in paying property taxes, records show.

A reporter who went to the Abawi residence on Waterville-Swanton Road found no one at home except for three laying hens.

The couple’s property, which is hidden from the road by trees and at the end of a long driveway, has a large barn. A John Deere tractor was the only vehicle at the home.

A neighbor who would not give his name said the couple live in the home with their two young children. He said package delivery firms routinely go to the home.

According to the Ohio Medical Board, Dr. Sulaiman Abawi has been licensed as an emergency-room physician since 2006 and his wife has had the same certification since 2009.

Staff writers Mark Reiter and Taylor Dungjen compiled this report.