The California federal government on Wednesday announced a crackdown on alleged illegal gambling.
according to presseran investigation by the Orange County Asian Organized Crime Task Force has led to the arrests of seven out of nine defendants in three indictments alleging a range of criminal conduct, including drug trafficking, attempted extortion, subsequent robbery of a small business, bribing a police officer and operating illegal casinos. legal.
One of three unearthed federal indictments alleging the existence of a chain of illegal casinos in Santa Ana and citing the shooting of a gambling den in which an employee was shot in the neck.
“The number of illegal gambling dens during the pandemic has exploded.
affect quality of life in many Orange County neighborhoods,” said the U.S.
Attorney Tracy L. “These illegal acts are fertile ground for drug trafficking, violence and even police corruption.”
“Illegal gambling sites increase violent crime, negatively impact the quality of life of our communities, and cause disruption to our law-abiding neighborhoods and business partners. This is something our agency will not tolerate,” said Santa Ana Police Chief David Valentine.
Task force members arrested five defendants on Wednesday, following two arrests on Tuesday. The authorities continue to search for two accused.
