Police dismantle illegal casinos linked to drug syndicate

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 23 Oct, 03:32 · Archive

Police have shut down two illegal casinos and arrested 29 people in a months-long investigation into an alleged drug crime syndicate.

Police have closed two illegal casinos operating from suburban homes and arrested 29 people following a months-long investigation into an alleged drug crime syndicate centred in Melbourne.

The investigation began in July when nine people with alleged links to the syndicate were arrested at a home in Bundoora. Among them were four foreign nationals—two Malaysian men, a Chinese man and a woman from Thailand—who were charged with drug offences and remain in custody. A raid on the first suspected illegal casino in Carnegie on 15 August uncovered multiple gambling rooms with staff and patrons allegedly playing illegal casino games. Detectives interviewed 15 people, including two staff members, who were released and are expected to be charged on summons.

On Tuesday, detectives discovered a second suspected illegal casino in Box Hill, where they arrested two alleged staff members: a 43-year-old Chinese national and a 49-year-old Balwyn North man. Subsequent searches of homes in Balwyn North and Box Hill found casino betting chips, cash and handwritten ledgers detailing large-scale gambling.

The operation seized 5 kilograms of ketamine and 7 kilograms of methamphetamine police allege was being trafficked between Victoria and Western Australia, along with $600,000 in cash, illicit tobacco, vapes, machetes, tasers, swords, daggers and other weapons. The investigation was conducted by Victoria Police's dedicated organised crime squad, Taskforce VIPER and the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission.

How it is being reported

• Illegal casinos linked to alleged drug syndicate bustedPolice have dismantled two illegal casinos, arrested dozens of people and seized a large amount of cash, drugs and weapons linked to an alleged crime syndicate.The West Australian · 23 Oct, 03:06
• Illegal casinos linked to alleged drug syndicate bustedPolice have dismantled two illegal casinos, arrested dozens of people and seized a large amount of cash, drugs and weapons linked to an alleged crime syndicate.Perth Now · 23 Oct, 03:06

In this story: Victoria Police · Taskforce VIPER · Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission · Melbourne · Bundoora · Carnegie · Box Hill

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