Cade Lucas
Twenty-one people have been arrested and cash, drugs, alcohol and gaming equipment seized after police raided an alleged high-end illegal casino in Truganina overnight.
The alleged illegal casino was uncovered in a Truganina factory where police conducted a search warrant at about 9pm on Thursday August 24.
It’s alleged as many as 50 people per night had been attending the unlicenced casino which required an $8000 buy in and had been operating weekly throughout this year.
A 35-year-old Truganina man, the alleged operator of the casino, is expected to be charged on summons with conducting unauthorised gambling, advertising unauthorised gambling, selling liquor without a licence, consuming liquor on unlicensed premises and having liquor on unlicenced premises.
The remaining patrons are expected to be charged with being inside an unauthorised gambling premises, consuming liquor on unlicenced premises as well as drug possession offences.
Inspector Scott Colson said the arrests were the culmination of a long running investigation into illegal gambling.
“Our investigation concluded last night, as local detectives, the VIPER Taskforce, State Liquor Unit and Public Order Response Team executed a warrant which led to the arrest of 21 people,” Inspector Colson said.
“When significant quantities of cash are seized from organised crime syndicates, we know this deals a hammer blow to their ability to fund further illegal activity.
We’ve put a stop to a large amount of money ending up in the hands of the wrong people, which could have then been used for further criminal offending in the community.”
Illegal gambling can result in a two year prison sentence or a $192,000 fine.
Inspector Colson said the latest arrests were a warning, not just for those involved in unauthorised gambling, but organised crime in general.
“If you are involved in any kind of organised criminal activity, make no mistake, we have our eyes on you.”
