Illegal Melbourne casino for high-end rollers busted in Truganina with police alleging it is linked to organised crime
Illegal casino in Melbourne for high-end rollers busted in Truganina, with police claiming it linked to organized crime
- Victoria Police arrest an illegal casino operating out of a factory
- Officers seized cash, alcohol, drugs and gaming tables
Police have arrested 21 people and seized cash, drugs, alcohol, gaming tables and equipment after discovering an alleged luxury illegal casino operating out of a factory in Melbourne.
A minimum of $8,000 was required to buy into the Truganina operation, which reportedly received up to 50 players per night without a license.
An unlicensed bar served alcohol, while police say gamblers also carried drugs into the premises.
Officers with sniffer dogs, supported by the force’s drone unit and Gaming and Casino Control Commission personnel, raided the factory Thursday night and seized narcotics and cash.
Police raided the illegal casino in Truganina and seized cash and drugs
A 35-year-old Truganina man, the alleged operator, is expected to face subpoena charges for committing illicit gambling, advertising illicit gambling and selling and storing liquor without a license.
Twenty alleged players are expected to be charged with entering illegal gambling venues, consuming liquor in illegal venues and possession of drugs.
A minimum of $8,000 was required to buy into the Truganina operation, which reportedly received up to 50 players per night without a license.
“If significant amounts of cash are seized from organized crime syndicates, we know it will deal a serious blow to their ability to fund further illegal activities,” said Detective Inspector Scott Colson.
“We prevented a large amount of money from ending up in the hands of the wrong people, which could then have been used for further criminal offenses in the community.”
Unauthorized gambling in Victoria is punishable by two years in prison or a $192,000 fine.